Michael E. Thede

MASON CITY - Michael E. Thede, 65, of Highlandville, Iowa, formerly of Mason City, died Friday, Nov. 12, 2010, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
A celebration of life service for Michael will be held at 5 p.m. today, Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street N.E., Mason City, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time today, Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the chapel.
Those wishing to honor his memory through a memorial contribution may wish to consider memorial be made to the NIACC Foundation in his memory.
Michael E. Thede was born on Aug. 6, 1945, the son of Everett and Helen Thede.
Mike was an exemplary educator, retiring from North Iowa Area Community College in 2002. He taught Western civilization and geography courses. Mike was among the first to utilize Iowa's telecommunications network for off-campus delivery of educational courses. He coached several colleagues in the use of this technology and then later was among the first to offer online courses. Mike authored a multi-media course, "Real Coaching", for Drake University. While at Iowa Central Community College he coached football and later served NIACC in a similar capacity. After retiring from NIACC, Mike developed the graduate program in geography at Florida Gulf Coast University. Mike received his bachelor's degree from Parsons College, a master's degree from Northwest Missouri State University and his Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. Early in life he learned the values of hard work, trust and honesty in his father's restaurant business in Cedar Rapids. The family moved to Florida but after a hurricane devastated the family's business they returned to Cedar Rapids.
Mike was a kind, generous man with loyalties to friends and family that few achieve. He demanded respect but reciprocated in full. His word was his bond. He had a very quick with and enjoyed great conversations. He loved world travel. For those privileged to travel with him he had an encyclopedic mind for events and culture in any Western European country. As a true Hawkeye fan, he had season tickets and missed few games. He enjoyed the serenity of trout fishing in northeast Iowa and on the "flats" off the coast of Western Florida. In many ways, Mike was a social director, whether after an evening of shooting sporting clays or organizing retirees in southern Florida for Christmas celebrations. Mike spent the last eight months living the dream of owning a log home alongside South Bear Creek in the friendly community of Highlandville, Iowa. He found peace in this beautiful forested valley enjoying trout fishing, watching the area wildlife, and appreciating the scenery. Mike was genuinely happy when he was in the company of a dog or pursuing his woodworking hobby in his garage.
Mike touched many lives and we are all blessed for knowing and loving this kind and thoughtful man that would do anything to bring joy to others. If the measure of a man is gauged by the love of family and friends, then Mike's life is a testament to a good, meaningful life. Truly he will be missed but our memories of a life well lived persist.
Survivors include his niece, Anne (Bryan) Ferguson of Elgin, Ill., a brother-in-law, Ken Shogren of Cedar Rapids, and other extended family members and many friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Helen (Minnick) Thede, and a sister, Carol Shogren.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel; 641-423-2372, www.colonialchapels.com.