Deacon John Michael "Mike" Woiwode

Deacon John Michael "Mike" Woiwode, 73, formerly of Minot, North Dakota was called home on November 11, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
Mike was born on May 29, 1952 in Minot, ND a son of Jerome and Criselda (Finken) Woiwode. He grew up in the Minot area and graduated from Minot High School in 1970. He was previously married, and had three daughters: Anne Marie, Rae, and Laura.
He entered the United States Air Force as a law enforcement specialist in 1973 and proudly served until 1977. During his time in the Air Force, he was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, and Laken Heath Air Force Base in Mildenhall, England.
After his time in the Air Force, Mike worked as a county deputy for Ward County, and then at Monarch Products for over 10 years. He was then employed by civil service in the meat department at the Minot Air Force Base Commissary where he retired after 29 years.
In 1998 he joined the Beginning Experience Support Group (B.E.) where he met many wonderful friends and his future wife, Marion. He then facilitated levels 3 and 4 of B.E. for 10 years.
Mike was united in marriage to Marion (Martwick) Strandlien in 1999. Together they had a daughter, Michaela.
Mike was ordained a Deacon of the Catholic Church in the Bismarck Diocese on October 23, 2011. He served at St. Leo the Great Parish in Minot where he assisted with baptisms, funerals, and many Masses. He and Marion also led pre-marriage classes for engaged couples.
Mike, Marion, and Michaela moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 2015 where they learned how much they loved the dry heat. There, he served the Diocese of Phoenix at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Surprise, Arizona, and St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Sun City, Arizona. He enjoyed leading bible study groups, OCIA classes, and spiritual counselling. He was also a chaplain at the Kingman Men's Prison. Mike and Marion moved to Sun City, Arizona in 2021 for medical reasons.
Mike was known for his witty sense of humor and his magic invisible ball trick that mystified every child he met. He was also known for his belief in the power of love: love for our Father in Heaven, love for our neighbors, and the love our Father in Heaven undeservingly gives us. He loved to fish, watch movies, and spend time with friends. He didn't enjoy playing cards, as he didn't like to lose or win. He had a love for music (in particular lip-syncing to Ray Stevens), and he loved old western TV Shows. He collected elephants for 20 plus years, and at one time had over 400 elephants displayed.
Mike's surviving family includes: wife, Marion Woiwode of Sun City, Arizona; daughters, Anne Marie (Nick) Petty, of Rohnert Park, CA, Rae (Corey) Davies of Kokomo, IN, and Michaela Woiwode (Kelly Eggen) of Bismarck, ND; step-children Jessica Strandlien, and Jason (Vanessa) Strandlien, both of Minot, ND; siblings, Verona Ferderer, Val Lavik, David Woiwode, all of Minot, ND and Al (Karen) Woiwode of Fargo, ND; 14 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Criselda Woiwode; daughter, Laura (Woiwode) Bruce; brothers, Jerome (Jerry) Woiwode Jr., Donald Woiwode, and brother-in-law, Carl Ferderer.
Memorial Mass: Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 10:00 am at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Sun City, Arizona.
Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, December 19, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot, North Dakota.
Interment: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, North Dakota.