Michael Thomas Lee Redetzke

Michael Thomas Lee Redetzke of Osakis, MN, died on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Alomere Hospital at the age of 73 years old. He was born January 6^th, 1950, to Vinton & Eleanor (Babe) Redetzke. Michael would live the next 73 years in the same house he grew up in.

He had three brothers and one sister: Steven (Lin), Charles (Neva), Reginald (Kathy) Redetzke, and Deborah Schmidt (Darwin Sibell).

His parents and brother Charles preceded him in death.

Michael graduated from Osakis High School in 1969. He also attended Alexandria Technical College for Marine & Small Engines and Parts Sales.

He married Mary Rasmusen of Osakis on December 16, 1972, at Long Bridge Lutheran Church. They celebrated their 50-year anniversary in 2022.

They had three boys: Darren (Tia), Chad, & Travis (Sarah) Redetzke. They also had 4 grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Annabelle, Trent, & Hannah. Also, one great grandchild Braxton.

Michael loved his babies and was thrilled when the grandchildren came along.

His jobs would include Great Plains Lumber in Osakis, Hillig”s John Deere Implement in Long Prairie, 3M in Alexandria and Cabinet Components in Sauk Centre. For many years he also worked a side job as the handyman for Sherman & Sarah Larson.

Family trips in the summer with his wife & boys would always prove to be an adventure. It always seemed to be without much of a plan in mind. The family would pack up to see where the day or weekend would take them. Usually somewhere in northern Minnesota. Perhaps a Bambi park, Paul Bunyan Center, Itasca state park, or Duluth. Our family had good times at every destination.

In his younger days, Mike loved to hunt. He had a lifelong passion for fishing, especially ice fishing. You would often see him on his lawn mower as he liked to keep his lawn well-kept and would always be the first one out to blow the snow out of the driveway.

After retirement one could often see him driving around, as he so enjoyed keeping track of friends and neighbors in his little town.

Michael had a great number of loyal friends & family that he thought the world of. There were some of whom he met on a regular basis every Saturday morning!

He was always ready to lend a helping hand. If you needed something, he likely had it in his shed and would go and find it for you.

He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. He was quite a character, for he saw the humor in life.

Michael had countless ailments throughout his lifetime, but he always tried to bounce back quickly. We were blessed to have him for 73 years.

We will celebrate Michael’s life on Wednesday evening July 12^th, 2023, at 5 PM at Osakis Lutheran Church in Osakis, MN.

A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

He will be laid to rest at Long Bridge Lutheran Cemetery