Michael Jerome Reed, age 49 of Burnsville passed away peacefully on Friday, September 1, 2017. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake on Saturday, September 9 at 11:00 AM with visitation two hours prior to the service. Pastor Bruce Laabs will preside.
Mike Reed was born in Fargo, ND on April 8, 1968. At a young age, Mike’s family moved to Northfield, MN, to pursue the family business. Mike and his sister Marti spent most of their youth in Northfield where Mike was primarily known as a jokester, who loved pranking his family and friends. He played baseball was involved in scouting, and religiously got up for the newspaper route with mom.
Mike graduated from Northfield High School and went to work for Mayflower Moving. Mike always had a passion for the outdoors and loved going on long motorcycle rides with his friends. On August 24, 1994, a motorcycle accident left Mike paralyzed, with a very steep journey to recovery. Of the many changes he went through during this time, the most prominent, and important to him was his deep appreciation for every day of life and everyone he loved.
Shortly after moving back to Fargo, to be closer to family, Mike met the love of his life, Shannon. After dating over 3 years they exchanged wedding vows on June 12, 1999 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Billings, MT. The first thing Mike would always say about Shannon was “She’s always been my very best friend!” Among the blessings this marriage enjoyed was the birth of quadruplet boys – Johnathon, Michael, Trevor and Tyler.
Mike’s computer and device skills led him to a career in electronics retail, where his favorite part was helping people every day. He also loved music, especially 80’s rock, and boasted a collection of over 1000 80’s music CDs! Mike loved doing anything outdoors, especially walks, going to the dog park and his “Thrillin’ Grillin’”. He loved going to the State Fair and to Jesse James Days in Northfield. He was a dedicated (to say the least) Vikings and Twins fan.
Mike’s faith, and especially passing that faith on to his sons was very important to him. Mike wanted everything for his boys. He spent as much time with all of them and each of them as he possibly could to stay involved in their lives. Along with his wife, they were his pride, his absolute joy and the loves of his life. Mike’s immediate family also includes his service dog DC, who was a close, constant and loyal companion.
Of Mike’s disability, his sister said simply, “I never saw the chair, I don’t think most people saw the chair.” That same tenacious “can do” attitude Mike needed to recover from his injuries would be needed again as he faced his very short, but well fought battle with cancer. Mike drew great comfort and strength from his visits with Pastor Laabs, and was described as a “spiritual sponge” always wanting more and more! Mike spoke of how once he had accepted his paralysis; he was eventually able to see it as a gift – thus the struggles they face now must be gifts!
Left to honor Mike’s life are his wife Shannon; sons Tyler, Trevor, Michael and Johnathon; parents Carol Foss, Jerome & Kay Reed; sister Marti (Scott) Stone; loyal companion DC and many other loving relatives and friends.
Mike is preceded in death and welcomed to heaven by his grandparents, Alvin & Muriel Foss and Harold & Elsie Reed.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been started at www.gofundme.com/memorial-fund-for-mike-reed-family
