Michael Milligan

Milligan, Michael Age 63, ended his long battle with pancreatic cancer in the early hours of Sunday, November 23, 2008. Initially given six months to live, he survived for almost two and a half years. During those years, Mike was able to send his son Nick off to college at St. Thomas University, learned with great pride that his daughter Kelley was accepted to nursing school, and became a grandfather for the first time when his daughter Maureen gave birth to a son. Mike was the fourth of eight children born to Bernie and Joyce Milligan of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. After his academic career started off slowly with two stints in kindergarten, he went on to excel academically, graduating cum laude from Wisconsin State University. He spent several years teaching public school in Frederic, WI, before obtaining a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin. In 1976, he graduated from the William Mitchell College of Law, where he was a night law school student. In 1976 Mike met a tanned, long- haired brunette named Kathleen Farrell at O'Gara's Bar & Grill. She agreed to marry him a few months after they were first introduced, even though he asked for her hand at the local White Castle Hamburger and didn't have a ring. She simply loved his smile and the twinkle in his eyes. Mike and Kathleen just celebrated 32 years of marriage. Mike served as the Cass County Attorney from 1976-1986. From 1986 until his cancer diagnosis, he was a partner at the St. Cloud law firm of Quinlivan & Hughes. During his 30-year law career, he served as the president of the Cass/Hubbard County Bar Association and the Fifteenth District Bar Association. He was also a member of the Stearns County Bar Association, the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association and numerous other legal organizations. He achieved great success both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. Throughout his career he relished his role as a mentor to newer attorneys, and continued to work with young associates even after cancer forced him to stop actively practicing law. Mike had few hobbies. He was a hunter with poor aim and a golfer with an ugly swing. But he excelled as a father of three unique children. He was a fixture at their athletic events, where he was a tireless cheerleader for every member of the team. The Milligan household was often the venue of choice for his children's friends, where he enjoyed visiting with everyone his children brought home and always made sure that the refrigerator was stocked with food and drinks. He taught his children to "do your best, not your fastest" and made sure they never went to sleep mad with someone they loved. Mike is survived by his wife Kathleen; daughters, Maureen Kathleen Milligan and Kelley Farrell Milligan; son, Nicholas Lee Milligan; son-in-law, Vasu Raja and grandson, Kiran Michael Raja. He also leaves behind mother, Joyce Milligan; sister, Sally McClellan & husband James; sister, Peggy Phillips & husband Tom; sister, Barb Milligan; brother, Pat Milligan & wife Linda; brother, Tim Milligan & wife Sue; former brother-in-law, Dan Trudeau & wife Jeanie; brother-in- law, Mike Farrell & wife Debbie; brother-in-law, Pat Farrell & wife Patty; brother-in-law, Eddie O'Farrell & wife Mary; brother-in-law, Dennis Farrell; and brother-in-law, Paul Farrell & wife Elaine. He is also survived by many Milligan and Farrell nieces and nephews and their spouses and children. He was predeceased by father, Bernie Milligan; sister, Kathy Trudeau; brother, William Milligan and his beloved father-in-law, Edward G. Farrell. Mike also leaves behind his colleagues and law partners at the Quinlivan & Hughes Law firm, many devoted friends around the country and former clients. Visitation will be at the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, St Cloud on November 25th from 4-8 p.m. Services will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church, St. Cloud on November 26, 10:30 a.m., followed by a dinner at Milligan's. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Quiet Oaks Hospice House or the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge, Rochester, MN.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.