Michael L. "Mike" Almstrom

Michael Lynn "Mike" Almstrom, beloved husband, dad, and Poppy, 71, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 13, 2025. He was born April 21, 1954, in McPherson, KS to Gordon and Betty (Colwell) Almstrom.

Mike himself reflected in his own testimony, "I was fortunate to be raised in a Christian home where we attended church regularly. As a young boy, I went to Sunday School, Bible School, and various church youth activities. I read and heard messages from the Bible in all of these activities. When I listened to sermons concerning salvation, I believed it to be true, but it wasn't until a few years later at a summer youth camp that I realized that I needed to personally accept Jesus as my savior and ask for His forgiveness of my sins. I realized this after hearing a salvation message given by a camp counselor at a bonfire one evening. His message became very clear to me and I went forward."

Growing up on the multigenerational family farm, he developed a lifelong love for the land, farming, and nature. Landing the winning large mouth bass at age 10 ignited his lifelong passion for catch and release fishing. He spent many memorable days motorcycling to their family pasture land to fish at Canton Pond and stay overnight at the cabin.

Mike graduated from McPherson High School in 1972 and received his Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business Administration from McPherson College in 1977. On April 30, 1977, just a month before they both graduated from college, he married his lifelong love of 48 years, Linda (Garland) Almstrom. Moving to Hutchinson, KS to begin their married lives together, Mike became a Certified Public Accountant. He worked as a staff accountant at Lindburg and Vogel, a partner at Bartlett, Settle, and Edgerle, Corporate Controller and Secretary-Treasurer at Kingsley-Wagner and a Corporate Controller at Gregory's. He later worked as an investment officer at First National Bank before his retirement.

Mike was a beloved father to his two daughters, Allison and Lindsay, and cherished time with them. Many precious family memories were made spending Sundays and holidays on the family farm riding horses and go-karts, shooting off fireworks, and enjoying family meals around the dining table filled with laughter, Linda's homemade dinner rolls, and an extra dollop of butter from Gordon. Everyday life was filled with family walks to Long John Silvers and cookouts at the local park. Yearly summer trips to Colorado to visit extended family established traditions of mini golf, paddle boats, and milkshakes at Fun Valley.

Some of Mike's most treasured traditions were built with his family attending Hutchinson's Hutchfest and 4th of July Parade, taking fall family trips in the Ozarks to Silver Dollar City where Mike and Linda first went for their honeymoon, and celebrating Christmas with a family walk through the luminaries and a yearly reenactment of the nativity story with the family manger scene.

Mike cherished his grandchildren and was there for every birthday. He spent many hours reading favorite stories, playing, and attending sports and events. He was always quick to pull out his favorite recent pictures of the grandkids to share with his friends.

After his retirement he could often be found fishing off the dock at Dillon Nature Center or reading at his local Starbucks where the baristas knew him by name and started a fresh pot of coffee when he walked in the door. He faithfully attended Inspire Church.

He will be remembered for his faith, steadfastness, hard work ethic, generosity, humility, and deep love for his family.

Mike is survived by: his wife of 48 years, Linda; daughters, Allison (Chris) and Lindsay (Matt); grandchildren, Micah, Jesse, Violet, and Haddon; brother, Larry (Nancy) and sister-in-law Connie (Mike) as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A private graveside service will be held at McPherson Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Inspire Church, 4290 North Monroe Street, Hutchinson, KS 67502. All memorial funds received will be given to Compassion International.

Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, is assisting the family.