Mike Stewart, age 75, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Sunday, May 10th, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15th, at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Janelle Hennager officiating. Interment will be in Kingo Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, May 14th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. Family will also greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Michael Ross “Mike” Stewart was born on July 1, 1950, to Harry and Eleanor (Olson) Stewart in Winnebago, MN. He was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Winnebago and graduated from Winnebago High School in 1968. Mike continued his education at St. Cloud State College. At SCSC he became a member of Theta Chi – Zeta Delta Chapter and was given the nickname “Stewie.” This moniker lasted his lifetime, as he was affectionately called Grandpa Stewie by his grandkids.

It was also at SCSC that he met his future bride, Bonnie Clementson. They were married in Fosston on August 23, 1975, and celebrated 50 years of marriage this past summer. They were blessed with four children, Maggie, Theodore, Andrew, and Ryan. As a young family, six years were spent living in Kenai, Alaska where Mike worked as a manager for Seafoods of Alaska. Upon returning to Minnesota in 1987, Fosston became their hometown where Mike and Bonnie raised their children and eventually established their country home in Queen Township.

Mike loved the outdoors – nature, wildlife, trees, and birdwatching. He enjoyed gardening, and for years harvested maple syrup from the trees on his property. Fishing and deer hunting were his favorite outdoor sports. Cooking, baking bread and carving diamond willow were among a few of his pastimes. For over 50 years his fraternity brothers traveled to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Mike was able to participate in many of those adventures. He also enjoyed traveling around the U.S. with his wife. More than anything, he loved spending time with his family and friends, whether grilling on the deck, sitting around the bonfire, or riding through the woods on his side by side (a favorite of the grandkids). He was a member of Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston and served as its sexton for over ten years, a volunteer role in which he was happy to serve.

Mike is survived by his wife, Bonnie; four children, Maggie Stewart of Fosston, Theodore (Sarah) Stewart of Bemidji, Andrew (Dee) Stewart of Mesa, AZ, and Ryan (Sarah) Stewart of Becida, MN; seven grandchildren, Vincent, Allister, Azure, Andrew, Hadyn, Ruby and Eli; a sister, Sara (Chuck) Murry; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Gary) Laines and Jennifer (Jeff Thompson) Harris. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Eleanor Stewart; parents-in-law, Arvid and Alene Clementson; and brothers-in-law, Dean Clementson and Joe Clementson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kingo Lutheran Cemetery Perpetual Fund.