Michael Kotlan

Michael "Mike" George Kotlan, 73, of Watertown, SD passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Mike was born on September 25, 1952, to George F. Kotlan and Christa A. (Meadows) Kotlan in Berwyn, Illinois. He grew up in the Cicero area and graduated from J. Sterling Morton East High School in 1971. Mike began his career at Edward Hines Lumber Company, where he became a truck driver, a profession he would proudly hold for decades. In 1972, he married Linda Moore, and they happily welcomed two sons, Mike in 1974 and Chris in 1979. In his twenties, Mike also served as a volunteer EMT and Fire Lieutenant with the Stickney Fire Department.

In 1982, Mike entered the medical equipment industry with Abbey Medical, advancing to Branch Manager and earning Manager of the Year. In 1993, he moved to Minneapolis to manage Abbey's largest store, where he met Julie (Mundhenke) Hogstad. They married in 1994, and Mike became a loving stepfather to Nick, Josh, and Becky Hogstad.

Mike's career led the family from Minnesota, to Illinois, to California, where they owned and operated Rehabilitation Design from 1996 to 2001, and became proud parents to Matthew in 1997. After closing the doors, they settled in Watertown, Julie's hometown. He then returned to trucking, operating MRM Inc. with his father-in-law, Marvin, accompanied by his best furry friend, Joey. He then went on to drive for DART Logistics in Eagan, Minnesota in 2011. After selling his beloved purple semi-truck in 2013, with over 3 million miles in the driver's seat, Mike worked for Citi-Cargo & Storage as a driver and later as a dispatcher. He returned to Watertown in 2021 and worked from home until his second cancer diagnosis in July 2025. His final months were spent at home with Julie and frequent visits from their children and family.

Outside of work, Mike dedicated his time to enjoying life. He was an avid fisherman who cherished time on the water with family and friends, especially on trips to Canada and Wisconsin. He loved racing, both watching and working in the pits at the dirt track, and was a passionate Chicago sports fan-cheering on the Blackhawks, Bears, and Cubs. In his younger years, he played hockey and boxed, known for his powerful left hook.

Above all, Mike loved his family. A natural storyteller with a sharp sense of humor, he had a heart for listening and offering words of wisdom to anyone he met. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him, and joyfully reunited in Heaven with those who preceded him in death.

Mike is survived by his wife, Julie of Watertown; his children, Mike (Franny) Kotlan of Naperville, IL, Chris (Berenice) Kotlan of Oro Valley, AZ, Nick (Stacey) Hogstad of Spring Hill, TN, Josh (Cori) Hogstad of Fruita, CO, Becky (Mitch) McConnell of Evans, CO, and Matthew Kotlan of St. Paul, MN; 9 grandchildren; his sisters, Valerie Radeka and Kathleen Kotlan of Joliet, IL; his mother-in-law, Karen Ostrander of Watertown, his ex-wife, Linda Kotlan of Oro Valley, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Sharon (Vern) Anania, sister, Janet Cooper and brother, Jim Williams, his step father-in-law, William Ostrander, his father-in-law, Marvin Mundhenke, and his trucking partner and dog, Joey.