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Michael BOTTENFIELD Obituary
BOTTENFIELD, Sr., Michael Dale
Passed away peacefully on January 31, 2011 at the age of 68, surrounded by his family at Sutter Medical Center, Santa Rosa, CA.
Michael was born on September 17, 1942 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His parents, Don and Billie Bottenfield, resided in Mound, Minnesota, where Michael spent his growing up years, graduating from Mound High School in 1960. He later attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. While in Minnesota he worked for Tonka Toys and Gospel Light Publications.
Michael and his wife, Joanne, married on October 20, 1962. Their first child, Michael Dale, was born November 1965. The family moved to Saugus, California, in 1967, where Michael again worked for Gospel Light Publications. Their second son, Matthew, was born shortly after their move to California. Daughter, Molly Jo, their third child, who missed being born on her father's birthday by only three days, arrived September 20, 1976.
Michael entered the ministry in 1977 at the age of 35, through Young Life High School Ministries. He continued to serve with Young Life for the next eight years and then went on to become a Youth Pastor in Carmichael, California. Later he was called to Red Bluff, California to serve as a Youth Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Red Bluff.
In 1996, Michael received the calling to become the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Fort Bragg, California, where he found great joy and happiness in serving others in this community.
Michael's grandchildren, Ashley and Jake Belveal, and Michael Dale Bottenfield, III, held a special place in his heart. He loved and enjoyed each one.
He loved competitive sports of all kinds, but basketball and golf were his all time favorites. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time just relaxing by the ocean, enjoying the whales, boats and fishing, reading, and watching golf and other sports.
Michael is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joanne Rae Bottenfield, sons, Michael Dale Jr. of Fort Bragg and Matthew John of Seattle, WA.; daughter Molly Jo (Jason Belveal) of Red Bluff, CA., three grandchildren, one great-grandson, Michael Dale IV, brothers, Terry (Joy) Bottenfield, Sr., Valencia, CA, Bradley (Kathy) Bottenfield of Graettinger, IA., and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, Don and Billie Bottenfield, preceded him in death.
Michael entered into the arms of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, early in the afternoon of January 31. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather as well as a friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all and will be remembered with joy and fond memories held close in our hearts.
A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on the corner of Pine and Franklin Streets in Ft. Bragg, CA. A reception will be held following the Memorial Service.
If desired, the family request that donations be made in Memory of Pastor Mike Bottenfield to: Autism Society, 4340 East-West Hwy, Ste #350,
Bethesda, MD 20814.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael BOTTENFIELD
March 14, 2011
I was sad to discover Mike's obituary by accident while spending a little time Googling old friends. I go back quite aways with Mike. We first met way back in 1967 when he became my boss at a small company owned by his older brother Terry who I had known since I was about 15. Mike was 7 years older than me but we quickly became pretty much best friends...or maybe it was more of a big brother little brother relationship. I also became very close to his beautiful bride Joanne and Mike Jr. and Matt who were only 5 and 2 at the time. In addition to working together, Mike & I played tons of basketball together at the Glendale YMCA, where I even lived for awhile. I remember every Wednesday evening after work we would grab something to eat, shoot several games of 8 ball at a smoky underground pool hall and then meet up with Mike's big brother Terry at the Y for some vicious basketball. Yes, mike was a great sport and welcomed one and all, but he was also as competitive as anyone I ever played with. He played clean but he played hard. And not to talk out of school, at only 5'7" I'm afraid he had a touch of little man syndrome. I can say that being only 5'9" myself and being an inferior player to Mike. Big brother Terry was bigger, older and a more gifted player with a great smooth jump shot. Playing with Terry just made Mike compete harder whether he was Terry's teammate or competitor. He also shot a mean game of pool and regularly beat up on me in that game. Lets not even talk about golf. I wasn't in his league, but, again big brother Terry was. Mike's other brother Brad was around much, since he lived in Minnesota. However, he spent several months in California in 1966 I think. Got to know him then. Another charismatic Bottenfield who was naturally also good at basketball and golf. Mike loved both his brothers immensely. Between 1967 and 1969 I was a frequent guest in Mike and Joanne's home and got to know and love Joanne and the boys very much. Joanne was one of the prettiest and sweetest gals around and Mike one of the luckiest guys. And I spent a lot of time crawling around on the carpet with little Mike and Matt. Life took Mike and I on different paths after that when I joined to Air Force and was sent to the Philippines in late 1969. I visited M&J in Carmichael while on leave in 1972, before heading to Taiwan, and didn't see them again until I coincidentally moved from LA to Carmichael myself in 1974 to attend CSUS. I saw less of Mike and Joanne during those years in Carmichael, but we did play occasional golf and basketball. I remember Mike getting me a great deal on a set of Dunlop tires for my bug in 1975. In 1976 I moved to Berkeley to attend grad school and since then Mike and I have rarely been in touch. I confess I've never laid eyes on Molly, though I'm sure she's as beautiful as her mom. So I didn't really know the Mike that most of his friends of the last 30 years knew. However, I can tell you that the Mike I knew was passionate about his family, his faith, his competitive pursuits and his friends. Mike had a huge personality and lived life in big gulps. His impact on my me in my formidable years was immense. I will never forget him.
Mike Buhl
March 14, 2011
I was sad to discover Mike's obituary by accident while spending a little time Googling old friends. I go back quite aways with Mike. We first met way back in 1967 when he became my boss at a small company owned by his older brother Terry who I had known since I was about 15. Mike was 7 years older than me but we quickly became pretty much best friends...or maybe it was more of a big brother little brother relationship. I also became very close to his beautiful bride Joanne and Mike Jr. and Matt who were only 5 and 2 at the time. In addition to working together, Mike & I played tons of basketball together at the Glendale YMCA, where I even lived for awhile. I remember every Wednesday evening after work we would grab something to eat, shoot several games of 8 ball at a smoky underground pool hall and then meet up with Mike's big brother Terry at the Y for some vicious basketball. Yes, mike was a great sport and welcomed one and all, but he was also as competitive as anyone I ever played with. He played clean but he played hard. And not to talk out of school, at only 5'7" I'm afraid he had a touch of little man syndrome. I can say that being only 5'9" myself and being an inferior player to Mike. Big brother Terry was bigger, older and a more gifted player with a great smooth jump shot. Playing with Terry just made Mike compete harder whether he was Terry's teammate or competitor. He also shot a mean game of pool and regularly beat up on me in that game. Lets not even talk about golf. I wasn't in his league, but, again big brother Terry was. Mike's other brother Brad wasn't around much, since he lived in Minnesota. However, he spent several months in California in 1966 I think. Got to know him then. Another charismatic Bottenfield who was naturally also good at basketball and golf. Mike loved both his brothers immensely. Between 1967 and 1969 I was a frequent guest in Mike and Joanne's home and got to know and love Joanne and the boys very much. Joanne was one of the prettiest and sweetest gals around and Mike one of the luckiest guys. And I spent a lot of time crawling around on the carpet with little Mike and Matt. Life took Mike and I on different paths after that when I joined to Air Force and was sent to the Philippines in late 1969. I visited M&J in Carmichael while on leave in 1972, before heading to Taiwan, and didn't see them again until I coincidentally moved from LA to Carmichael myself in 1974 to attend CSUS. I saw less of Mike and Joanne during those years in Carmichael, but we did play occasional golf and basketball. I remember Mike getting me a great deal on a set of Dunlop tires for my bug in 1975. In 1976 I moved to Berkeley to attend grad school and since then Mike and I have rarely been in touch. I confess I've never laid eyes on Molly, though I'm sure she's as beautiful as her mom. So I didn't really know the Mike that most of his friends of the last 30 years knew. However, I can tell you that the Mike I knew was passionate about his family, his faith, his competitive pursuits and his friends. Mike had a huge personality and lived life in big gulps. To borrow a phrase, he had a lust for life. His impact on my life during my formidable years was immense. I will never forget him.
Jake & Karen Miller
March 7, 2011
We all loved Mike. He was a true joy with the kids at Red Bluff First Baptist. His sermons were truly from the heart because he was filled with the Lord. Our condolences and love to the family.
Andre Pichly
February 25, 2011
As best I can recall I met Mike in 1977. His humor, kindness, and ability to connect with people is what drew me to him. He was humble and self-depreciating. It was these traits I found myself trying to emulate during my young adult years. He was, in many ways, the older brother I never had and we spent time together playing basketball, bowling, playing golf, and just hanging out. I always felt welcome in the Bottenfield home; though at times I did feel I was a bit of a bother. I suppose when folks like Mike and Joanne display genuine love for you, you can’t help but want to be a greater part of their family.
Mike loved the Lakers, and references to Magic and Kareem, Jerry West and George Mikan were plentiful. With Mike around I become a bit of a student of NBA history. When the Kings came to Sacramento in 1985 I was fortunate enough to win tickets to the very first home game in the old Arco Arena. I knew who I wanted to take with me – Mike Bottenfield.
We played a lot of basketball together. From the age of 16 through my early 20’s I looked forward to playing in pick-up games every Saturday morning and Wednesday evening (or was it Tuesdays?). Mike was the father-figure in the group. He loved to play and kept things friendly. While we were competitive we kept the focus on fun instead of winning. Over 30 years later I’m still playing friendly pick-up games 2 to 3 times a week, and I have made it my role in the group to make sure things are friendly, that new players feel welcome, and that we all enjoy a sense of community. That’s the kind of stuff I learned from Mike.
Alene and I were honored that Mike agreed to be the minister to marry us in 1987 (although Mike would say it was he who felt honored). The evening after the wedding we called Mike to thank him and joke around a bit about “what do we do next?” I guess he did a good job marrying us because we’ve been together for 24 years now.
Around this time I started getting serious about college, and Mike and I didn’t spend as much time together. Soon after, as I recall, he and Joanne moved the family up to Red Bluff. Since that time I have seen Mike perhaps a half-dozen times. Our lives simply went in different directions. I’ve wrestled with my guilt over not having spent more time with him or not spending more time talking over the phone, but I know Mike wouldn’t want me to feel that way. He genuinely cared about people and the last thing, I think, Mike ever wanted to do was make anyone feel bad about being themselves and going about their lives. Again, more of the traits that have been imprinted on me because of Mike Bottenfield.
Mike and I last spoke in December of 2009. We spoke for a couple hours and it seemed we just picked up where we left off. Once again he talked fondly of my dad, told me how blessed he was to be where he was, and how much he loved Joanne, his kids and grandkids. He asked about my work and told me how proud he was of me. We ended the conversation wishing each other a Merry Christmas and telling each other we loved each other.
As I write this I have tried to think of all the people who have had an impact on my life. That period of time – adolescence to adulthood – are typically the most turbulent times in a person’s life. While there are others who had a positive impact on me, Mike is the one who made the greatest impact, and that affect far outshines the influence others had on me. Mike loved people – told me that it wasn’t an option, that loving others was what Jesus did and what God wanted him to do. I don’t think a person could get a better role model, friend, or basketball teammate than that. Thanks Mike Bottenfield – I love you. Save some playing time for me up there, my friend.
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Denise (Pickard) Pieplow
February 25, 2011
So sad to read of Mike's passing. I have sweet memories of Carmichael First Baptist Church and Mike as my high school teacher/minister in the 1970's. He made everyone feel special and loved during those "not always wonderful" high school years. Many thoughts and prayers for his family.
Diana Wentworth Shearer
February 25, 2011
I wish I could find the words to describe the impact Mike and his wife Joanne have had on my life. Although I hadn't seen Mike in a few years, the way I saw him show love to others has been a lasting example to me of God's unconditional love. I am so incredibly thankful to know the Bottenfields, and to have known Michael while he was on this earth. There will never be another quite like him. Rest in peace my friend.
Theresa Gallegos
February 22, 2011
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Billie Rogers
February 22, 2011
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Billie Rogers
February 22, 2011
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Sharra Rasheed
February 21, 2011
He was a truly kind and caring man, and always tried to see the best in everyone. It is a great loss for Fort Bragg, both the community and the church, as well as his family. I will be forever grateful for the help and hope he led me to have when I needed that very much. Though he is not present physically, his example is going to be there for a very long time to come.
My sincerest condolences to both the family and the church.
Heidi Couture-Jones
February 20, 2011
Mike Bottenfield made a huge difference in my life and some of my best high school memories were thanks to him. His warm, friendly and kind personality gave me the confidence to join the group. I loved lunch time when Mike was on campus. I would never have joined Young Life if it had not been for him and my best high school memories are all Young Life memories especially Woodleaf work crew. That was the best ever! I have thought about Mike so many times over the past 32 years and wondered how he was doing. I wish I could have told him the difference he made in my life back then. RIP Mr. Bottenfield
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