Search by Name

Search by Name

Mike Enzi Obituary

Mike Enzi

GILLETTE - Mike Enzi was born February 1, 1944 to Dorothy and Elmer Enzi in Bremerton, WA.

While he wasn't born in Wyoming, he always said he got there as quick as he could.

He learned many lessons in his schooling in Thermopolis, Sheridan, George Washington University, and Denver University, and continued his learning through career options and prolific reading. He wrote a book report for each book he read and took his situational learning on to new scenarios throughout his life.

His creed: Faith, Family, Friends, and Fishing.

Faith was important. He lived his Faith in church attendance (wherever he was in the world), as a high school Sunday school teacher, through his daily devotionals, his weekly prayer breakfast meetings, National Prayer breakfast, and sharing how God provides.

Aside from his decision to follow Christ, the next best decision he ever made was marrying Diana.

Family meant everything. From his parents, sister Marilyn, cousins, and grandparents, he learned the importance of family. He extended those lessons when he married Diana June 7, 1969 and opened NZ Shoes in Gillette.

He had three children, Amy (Mike), Brad, and Emily (Mike). He had four grandchildren: Trey, Lilly, Megan, and Allison. Grampa proudly held them each on the day they were born. He built a treehouse for them. He proudly participated in all family activities, even when he had to drive all night to do so. Family was precious to him.

Friends: He had a vast collection of friends he cherished. He was always pleased to spend time with friends at various events throughout his life. This included the more than 200 members of "Team Enzi" who worked for him over his many years in public service, which he and Diana supported like a family.

Some of his accomplishments that he was most proud of included being a husband, dad, Grampa, friend, Eagle Scout, soccer coach, basketball fan, Scout leader, Air National Guard veteran, mayor, legislator, and U.S. senator.

He enjoyed legislating and working to find solutions and often touted his 80/20% tool to solve problems, where he advocated focusing on the 80% of an issue people agreed on and leaving out or finding another way to work on the 20% that was more contentious.

Mike's passion was fishing. He didn't go anywhere without a rod and reel and a spare. It was not uncommon for him to pull over and cast his line as he traveled Wyoming.

Mike passed away peacefully on July 26, 2021, surrounded by his family. He left us with important lessons: Faith, Family, Friends, and Fishing, TIGAPA; Trust in God and push ahead, and the mission statement: "Do your best. Do what's right. Treat others as you want to be treated."

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Project Mercy, Mike and Diana Enzi Scholarship Fund at the University of Wyoming, and the Wyoming Community Foundation Mike and Diana Enzi Charitable Fund.

Celebration of life for Mike Enzi will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 6, 2021 at Pronghorn Center, 3807 College Dr., Gillette, WY; with Pastor Donavon Voigt officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Project Mercy, Mike and Diana Enzi Scholarship Fund at the University of Wyoming, and the Wyoming Community Foundation Mike and Diana Enzi Charitable Fund.

Memorials and condolences may be sent in Mike's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Casper Star-Tribune on Aug. 1, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Mike Enzi

Not sure what to say?





Dan and Andrea Morgan

August 11, 2021

We are heartbroken for Diana and Mike´s family. We were close friends and neighbors of theirs during the 1970s and and had some great times together when Mike was mayor of Gillette and Dan was County Attorney. Our oldest daughters started kindergarten together and all our children enjoyed Halloween parties and other fun times together. After we left Gillette we still had opportunities to get together, including a UW/OSU football game some years back. Mike was always the kindest, nicest guy in the world - a faithful church member, wonderful husband to Diana and father to his children, a great contributor to the City of Gillette, and darned good at fitting our kids shoes as well. He was an upstanding public servant for his entire life, from mayor to US Senator. We are so sad that he didn´t get the long and happy retirement he deserved - back home in Wyoming near his kids and grandkids and with Diana always by his side. Rest In Peace, Mike.

Pepper and Larry Broadwell

August 2, 2021

From the time we met in college, Mike was always steady, thoughtful, and considerate of everyone. His ability to work with anyone, including liberals like Sen. Ted Kennedy, will be missed. We hope the memorial trees we've arranged for will carry on his spirit of steady service.

William

August 2, 2021

My condolences to the family. An unfortunate accident to a public servant. Time and unexpected events overtake them all. Eccl. 9:11

Dan & Sue Sullivan

August 1, 2021

Our thoughts & prayers go to the family. Mike was a special man & friend & will definitely be missed. He lived a life to be admired.

Marie Vaccaro

July 31, 2021

I didn't know Mike personally, but have a fond memory of having met him on a very special occasion. He was Grand Marshall of WYO Parade, after which he and his lovely wife took the time to visit my mother at what was then, Sugarland Ridge. There, he presented my mother with her long-overdue, WWII medals. After I wrote a letter, to Mike, he promptly made sure she got them, and delivered them in person. She was thrilled and honored; I was so proud of my mother, and so thankful and appreciative that he took the time to honor a WWII USMC veteran. When my mother passed, he and his family sent a lovely card. I will cherish the card, the pictures, and the memories. May God bless his soul, his family, and bring them heartfelt peace and comfort.

LeeRoy

July 31, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Mike will be missed

July 31, 2021

I'm sorry for your loss. How tragic that he lost his life. May God sustain you and your family during this difficult time.

faith/rory tobin/dockett

July 30, 2021

Dear Enzi Family Rory and I extend our condolences's on the loss of Mike Enzi.may he rest in peace.best faith/rory

July 30, 2021

Sincere condolences to the Enzi family, so sorry for your loss. May God comfort and strengthen all of you to help you get through your very difficult time.

July 30, 2021

My condolences.

J S

July 29, 2021

I wish to extend my condolences to you for your loss. May God give you peace and comfort you during this most difficult time.

Bonnie Henderson

July 29, 2021

I did not have the priviledge of knowing Senator Enzi. I admired him from afar. I appreciate all that he did for the folks of Wyoming and I greatly respect him for his many accomplishments. I am so thankful for his legacy, both public and private. He was a leader that we could count on in good times and bad. May the Lord comfort and strenghten you, the family, as you take one step at a time, processing your grief and loss.

Heather Frauendienst

July 28, 2021

My daughters attended grade school with 2 of Senator Enzi´s grandkids. We have great memories of Senator Enzi attending many, many school events. When he was there, he was never Senator Enzi, he was "grandpa" and clearly loved his grandkids. Our hearts go out to the Enzi family.

Kay Schaffler

July 28, 2021

My sincere condolences to the family. I did not know him but I am 77 have bicycled for 35 years and
just had a bike accident that knocked out my 2 front teeth and injured my wrist. May he rest in peace.

Geri & Mark Adams

July 28, 2021

It was my pleasure and and absolute privilege to meet in Washington with Senator Enzi several times when I was still serving as the Exec VP of Mountain States Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association. He was such a fine, intelligent man with a humble manner, genuine kindness, and quick wit. I was always impressed with his ability to work collaboratively with so many on both sides of the aisle for the betterment of all of us. He will be greatly missed by all of us blessed enough to have known him. My prayers go out to his wife and the entire Enzi family at this difficult time. God bless you all. Geri Adams, Retired Exec VP, MSLBMDA

Jeff Crane, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

July 28, 2021

On behalf of everyone at the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), our condolences and sympathies go out to the entire Enzi family. The Senator was a past Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, and we had the honor of working with him to advance conservation and the sportsmen's agenda in the US Senate. Personally, I would see the Senator walking past my office window and I would run out to visit with him (and lobby him on something), and he always made time for me.......mostly we talked about fly fishing. The next time I am out in a stream, I will think about you and hope that you are up there coaching me on where I need to land that fly! You are sorely missed but fondly remembered!

Jane Oates

July 28, 2021

Senator Enzi was not only a wonderful Senator, but a wonderful person. He was smart, committed and a person of his word. He loved his wife, his family, Wyoming and his country and that was clear in every time you met him. It was my honor to work for Senator Kennedy when Senator Enzi was HELP Chair. Both new how to compromise on issues without compromising themselves. I know Senator Enzi is singing with the angels. Sending prayers to Mrs Enzi and the family.

Dolly Judge

July 28, 2021

Senator Enzi was a one of a kind - a genuine and sincere force in the world for good. He was always kind to everyone, worked to help others always and believed in our government in a way we all should. His devotion to Diana and his family and friends was admirable. Mike Enzi demonstrated every day how to be light and salt on Earth. He will be missed immensely. Love and prayers for peace to Diana and the family.

Steele

July 27, 2021

To the family Im sorry for your loss. May the God of mercy and comfort be with the family as you grieve. You have my deepest sympathy.

Janelle Eloisa Almendis

July 27, 2021

I am sorry for your loss. May God be your comfort.

Les Bowron

July 27, 2021

My prayers are with the Enzi family at this time. I was blessed to serve with Mike for 8 years in the Wyo Legislature. He taught me a lot about the process of governing; he volunteered to play on our political basketball team when we played the media in a fundraiser game. The media brought in a Wyo quarterback and Jay Novacek, a Hall of Fame tight end, so we lost badly. Mike Enzi was fair, firm and always a gentleman. We shared a love of basketball and he knew that I stayed up late watching west coast college games. So he would get updates from me over coffee in the morning. We disagreed on some things, agreed on others, and fought together to protect Wyoming small businesses when the government got a bit carried away with regulations. Five years after I became a resident of Tennessee, my dad died. Mike sent me a beautiful letter on U.S. Senate stationary telling me how much he appreciated my dad's public service as a Democrat. I still have that letter and will always treasure it. Campbell County and the state of Wyoming will always be a better place because of Mike Enzi's public service.

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results

Make a Donation
in Mike Enzi's name

Memorial Events
for Mike Enzi

Aug

6

Funeral service

1:00 p.m.

Pronghorn Center

3807 College Drive, Gillette, WY 82718

Funeral services provided by:

Gillette Memorial Chapel

210 West 5th St., Gillette, WY 82716

How to support Mike's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Mike Enzi's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more