Michael Leon Fowler, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, returned to his Heavenly Father surrounded by his family.
He was born on August 29, 1952, in Pocatello, Idaho, to William "Lamar" Fowler and Joan Poorman. The oldest of four children, Mike was raised on the family farm in Woodville, Idaho, where he learned the value of hard work.
Mike attended school in Shelley, graduating from Shelley High School in 1971. Following graduation, he served faithfully as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Kansas-Missouri Mission. He loved his time in the mission field so much that he was honored to be asked to extend his service, which he gladly did.
Upon returning home, he continued his education at Ricks College and later at Eastern Idaho Technical College (EITC).
On June 21, 1975, Mike married his best friend and the love of his life, Barbara Louise Hardy. Together, they built a life in Shelley, Idaho, where they raised four wonderful children.
Mike worked at NRF at the Idaho National Laboratory for 42 years, a career marked by dedication.
Throughout his life, Mike served in many church callings, but the one that brought him the greatest joy was working with the Young Men. He enjoyed the camping trips and adventures they had.
Mike had a deep love for the outdoors. He found joy in fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, four-wheeling, and plowing snow. He took great pride in his yard. Above all else, Mike’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather. Time spent with his grandchildren brought him endless happiness, especially their family trips to the cabin in Island Park — one of his favorite places on earth.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Barb Fowler; his children: Bryce (Mandy) Fowler, Heather (Dallas) Black, Stephanie (Travis) Reed, and Katie Dooley; and his 12 grandchildren; Halle, Addyson, Matthew (Reno, NV mission), Dalton, Lynzie, Austin, Macy, Hannah, Ashley, Brylee, Tate, and Luke. He is survived by his siblings: Kris (Randy) Madsen, Monty (LuAnne) Fowler, and Karry (Frank) Goldsberry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, in-laws, and his sister-in-law, Sue.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Woodville 2nd Ward Chapel, 1555 N 700 E, Shelley. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak Street, Shelley and Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. till 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses in the ICU and Critical Care Unit at EIRMC. Their unwavering compassion and attentive care during Mike’s time of need meant the world to all of us.
Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast at the following link:
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110 West Oak, Shelley, ID 83274
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