Beloved Husband Father, Grandfather Retired Judge Michael F. Fetsch, age 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in St. Paul on Sept 12, 2013. Mike attended St. Luke's grade school, Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary, the St. Paul Seminary, and was a graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law. Mike served as an attorney for Legal Assistance of Ramsey County, was the first Executive Director and Chief Attorney of the Neighborhood Justice Center in Saint Paul, was employed as a Ramsey County public defender, and served in private practice with his good friend, the Honorable Michael T. DeCourcy. Mike then served as a Ramsey County Referee and was appointed Ramsey County District Court Judge until he retired in 2009. His professional activities included serving on the Board of Directors of the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board and as Secretary and subsequently Vice-President of the Minnesota Public Defender's Association. He was a member of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association and the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mike served on the board of directors for multiple community service and improvement initiatives. Mike was voted one of the most courteous lawyers in the October - November 1991 issue of Minnesota Lawyer and was voted one of the "Leading Minnesota Attorneys" for Criminal Law that same year. Mike was also selected as one of the best lawyers in Minnesota by the Law & Politics "Super Lawyers 1994". In 2000 he was voted one of the "100 Who Make a Difference" in the William Mitchell College of Law Centennial Celebration Publication. Mike is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and three children; Anne (Jim Horner) of Fairfax, VA; John (Nancy) of Chicago; Tim (Louise Muth) of Alexandria VA and four grandchildren Maggie , Mary, Jack, and Vince. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Jeanne Fetsch, and three siblings. A funeral Mass for Mike will be held on Thursday, Sep 19th at 7:00 pm at the Church of St. Louis, King of France on 506 Cedar St in Saint Paul. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund or Saint Mary's Health Clinics. Our family is so grateful to Dr. Douglas Rausch and the entire staff of the Cancer Infusion Center at Hennepin County Medical Center for their skill, care and compassion which provided Mike a full and rich life. 651-698-0796
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Published in Pioneer Press on Sept. 15, 2013
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