Michael "Mike" Meyer

Michael Peter Meyer, 80, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 24, 1945, to Robert and Ruth (Sprink) Meyer in Hendricks, Minnesota. Michael was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota, where he and his family were active members for many years.

Growing up on a farm, Michael cherished his childhood experiences working with cattle and participating in fieldwork. He attended District 57 country school through 5th grade before transferring to Lake Benton Public School, from which he graduated in 1963. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army, completing Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and later stationed at Camp Casey in South Korea. He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1966.

Following a brief hiatus, Michael joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in Pipestone, Minnesota, and later transferred to the National Guard of Brookings, South Dakota. A talented boxer, he earned accolades while participating in Golden Gloves matches in Watertown and Minneapolis from 1969 to 1971. Michael also enjoyed fishing in Lake Benton with friends and family and looked forward to turkey hunting and deer hunting with his brothers in the Black Hills.

Professionally, Michael spent several years as a rough construction carpenter before dedicating 23 years to the 3M Company in Brookings, where he appreciated the work and lasting friendships he formed. He never complained about his rotating shifts, always finding joy in his job. In his free time, Michael developed a passion for building birdhouses and refurbishing old coaster wagons, joyfully gifting them to both young and old.

On June 24, 1972, Michael married his beloved wife, Marlene Folkerts, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. Together, they welcomed their two children, Myron and Michelle, who became the pride and joy of Michael's life. He was a dedicated and loving father, always present for his children. Michael took great pride in building their family home in 1978, a home that stood until it was destroyed by a tornado in 2011.

In 2007, Michael retired from 3M, and he and Marlene enjoyed splitting their time between their Lake Benton home and a new home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He worked as a courtesy clerk at Hy-Vee and volunteered with the valet service at Avera Hospital. A lifelong sports fan, Michael was an avid follower of the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings.

In recent years, Michael faced challenges with Alzheimer’s dementia, complicated further by congestive heart failure. He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene; their children, Myron (Jeanne) Meyer and Michelle (Craig) Johnson, all of Sioux Falls, SD; and siblings, Janet Kraut of Minneapolis, MN, Phillip Meyer of Sioux Falls, SD, Richard Meyer of Hot Springs, SD, Elizabeth McClaran of Pueblo, CO, Timothy (Vicki) Meyer of Denver, CO, and Jeremy Meyer of Manhattan, KS, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruth Meyer; sisters, Tamara Meyer and Margaret Skov; sister-in-law, Sandra Meyer; and brothers-in-law, Marvin Skov, James McClaran, and Larry Berger, niece Barbara Meyer and nephew Timothy Kraut.

Blessed be the memory of Michael P. Meyer.

The funeral service will take place Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:00am at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, MN. A visitation will take place with family present from 9:30 to 11:00am prior to the funeral service on Saturday. There will also be a visitation on Friday, November 14th, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00pm at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD.