Mike Dolney, age 65, took his final breath on January 29, surrounded by his girlfriend and his children, at his home in Prior Lake, MN. An aortic aneurysm on his heart quietly released him to heaven while he was sleeping, and he did not suffer. The Chaplin had just finished a beautiful prayer, and we all accepted the finality of life with a sense of comfort and peace.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be on Friday, February 8 at 4 pm, with a time of gathering starting at 2 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake.
Mike lived a life of love, adventure, and entrepreneurship. Mike was always a larger-than-life kind of person. When he danced through a doorway, you knew the party had started. When he spoke, you listened. When he loved, he did so with a huge hug and a smile. Mike was someone who made people feel welcome, and who loved with all his heart.
Loving relationships surround Mike’s life story. He was lucky to have a very patient mother, hard-working father, and strong relationships with his siblings. And when he married his high-school sweetheart, Gwenn, he got to hang out with his best friend for 33 ½ years. When he lost his companion, he lost himself and was wandering without purpose. Mike was saved by his girlfriend, Mary, who taught him how to love again. With a partner by his side Mike had the attention, hugs, and a skip in his step that allowed his confidence and smile to shine once again.
Mike was an adventurer. As a young man he hitchhiked from coast to coast with his buddy, Butch, and $117. Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands became a favorite vacation with friends where he practiced and perfected the true “ya mon” lifestyle. His travels brought him to Spain to see the MotoGP motorcycle race and he visited all but a few states to watch races and explore new places. He shared his love of travel and adventure with Gwenn and his children as they road tripped across the country in a van or a motorhome.
Mike was an entrepreneur, a business man, a salesperson. He could sell ice to the Eskimos, if he wanted to. His dreams became reality when he became the owner and manager of Burnsville Motorsports. He took pride in introducing others to the love of motosports. The closing of the motorsports business hit Mike at the core but his passion for motorcycles never waiver. After Burnsville Motorsports, Mike shifted his skills of management and ownership to the family welding business, DG Welding and Mfg where he spent the rest of his career.
Health complications invaded Mike’s story beginning in 2016 and continued for the last few years as he suffered from sepsis twice, 2 open heart surgeries to repair his aortic root, and the lasting effects of multiple strokes. Mike’s quality of life changed, and Mary was right by his side as they worked through hours of therapy and finding a new normal. The stroke made it impossible for him to be independent. He struggled with finding the right words, so his jokes fell flat – Mike’s worst nightmare! When the day came, Dad was able to sign the hospice paperwork on his own and he was clear about what came next. Mike’s motto was “drive fast, take chances.” Mike has always been a brave guy. This was no different.
It’s good Mike is at peace, but it’s hard to see him still. He was not a still man – he was always singing, bouncing, telling never-ending monologues and terrible jokes … we will miss him.
Mike is survived by his his children Andrea (Steve) Mullenmeister, Adam (Melody) Dolney, and Anna (Matt) Ribikawskis, and grandkids Jaxson, Hayden, Devyn, Jace, Ellie, Aria, and Lexi. His girlfriend, Mary Peterson, and her children Teri and Kelly. His brothers and sisters Allan Dolney (Micky Young), Tom (Denise) Dolney, Pat (Joyce Meyer) Dolney, Mary Beth (Mark) Peterson, Jon (Jodi) Doleny and Liz Dolney. Many other family members, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Mike was met in heaven by his wife, Gwenn (Beahan) Dolney, his parents Ambrose and Delores (Mooney) Dolney, sister-in-law, Lori Dolney and mother-in-law, Jane Beahan.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Dolney family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
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