Dr. Michael Scott Kirkeby

Dr. Michael Scott Kirkeby, 80, of Citrus Hills, passed away May 15, 2024, after a long battle with dementia.

Michael was born on July 12, 1943, in Montevideo, MN, to Lloyd and Eunice (Wold) Kirkeby.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1961. He graduated with his B.S. degree in elementary education from Mankato State University in 1965, his Master's degree in 1968 and Specialist degree in 1969. He was accepted into the doctoral program at the University of Montana, Missoula, Montana and graduated with his Doctor of Education in Educational Administration in 1975.

He served as a teacher, principal, superintendent and educational administrator in several Minnesota school districts over his 30-year career before retiring as Principal of Hawley Elementary School in Hawley, MN.

Michael was the father of four children from a previous marriage. He was an avid and accomplished tennis player and had many additional hobbies including running, fishing, hunting, reading and golf. Mike was strong-willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He will be remembered for all the heart and courage he shared with his friends and family and he will be missed dearly.

He married Margaret Rutsch in 2014 and they settled in Citrus Hills. For the first few years, he and Margaret took trips to Italy, France, and Alaska, and were snowbirds spending the summers on the lake in Glenwood, MN, and winters in Florida.

Michael is survived by his wife, Margaret, his daughter and son-in-law, Kindy Dawn and Aaron Tomhave two grandchildren, Kya and Kaeden Tomhave of New Caney, TX, his son Kortney Michael and Tara Bauman of Golden, CO, sisters Nona (Don) Stokke from Fort Myers, FL, and Diane (Larry) Nutter from Minneapolis, MN and Indio, CA. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Delas (Cathy) Kirkeby of Alexandria, MN as well as by two sons, Kip and Kent Kirkeby.

J.H. Lynner's Funeral Home of Clarkfield, MN is assisting the family with arrangements. Michael will be laid to rest beside his parents at Clarkfield Cemetery in Clarkfield, MN.

The family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks, in lieu of flowers, that a donation be made to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ honoring-mike-help-end -alzheimers and contribute by sharing memories of our beloved Michael on our memorial website.

Services entrusted to Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness, www.heinzfh.com.