Zane Michael VanAuken Forest "Mike" City

FOREST CITY | Zane Michael "Mike" Van Auken, 72, of Forest City, Iowa died Monday, April 17, 2017, at his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Zech Anderson and Pastor Steve Dornbusch officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2017, at Cataldo Schott Funeral Chapel, 505 North Clark St., Forest City.

Burial of cremains will be held at a later date.

Zane Michael "Mike" Van Auken was born on April 5, 1945, to Ruth (Bloom) and Zane Van Auken in St. Paul, MN. He spent his first 9 months on the Bloom family farm near Shafer, MN, with his mom and older sister, Karen, until his father returned home from the War and met his son for the first time. The family settled in Winona, MN, where he was joined by his younger sister, Rebecca (Reif) and spent his childhood. He attended Winona State and graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA.

After two years of long-distance courting, Mike married Inghild "Pøtt" Nørstebø on Feb. 10, 1968, in Winona, after she traveled from Norway. They made their first home in Gays Mills, WI, and both taught in the area for two years. Daughter Kari (Stern) was born there in August 1970. Ten days later they moved to Forest City, IA, so Mike could start his new position as director of the concert band and one of the choirs at Waldorf College, where he spent 16 years as a much beloved teacher and mentor.

In 1986, he shifted gears and started a career in financial planning. After 13 great years in their home on North Clark Street, they moved in 1989 to a former farm where Mike could get back to the land. He established an office for Van Auken Financial Services in their big red barn and advised clients there until retiring in 2011. The barn was also host to many parties over the years.

Mike enjoyed singing with the choir at Immanuel Lutheran Church for 46 years, playing jazz bass, and much more music. He was a voracious reader and had his own way with words. He liked good jokes and good discussions, and enjoyed rubbing shoulders with people from all stations and stripes. He was quite involved in local civic life.

Mike loved his wife's cooking and laughing with friends over libations. He cherished his time at the Nørstebø cabin in Norway and the Van Auken cabin in Montana; per his wishes, his final resting place will be a spot with a wonderful vista of Glacier Park. It will be marked by a rock engraved with, simply, "Enjoy the View", a fitting tribute to a man who touched many lives but nonetheless remained humble.

Mike loved his family very much. He was preceded in death by his parents, (Ruth and Zane Van Auken) and sister Karen. He is survived by Pøtt, his beloved wife of 49 years; daughter Kari, her husband, Chuck, and daughters Sofie, Celia, and Stella of Plymouth, MN; and son Paul, his wife Courtney, and their daughters Tizita and Soliana, of Oshkosh, WI; sister, Becky and her husband Bill; and a niece and three nephews and their families. It is a comfort for them to know that he is now tapping his toes with the heavenly choir, whose pitch is always perfect!

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Family suggests Immanuel Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are with Cataldo Schott Funeral Home in Forest City. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.cataldoschottfh.com.