James Michael "Mike" Uland

1947 - 2024

James Michael (Mike) Uland left this Earth in the late evening hours of April 3 after a brave and hard-fought short battle with pancreatic cancer with his wife, Dianne, and close friends by his bedside.

Mike was born Aug. 21, 1947, in Linton, Indiana, to James R. and Imogene Uland. His sister, Nancy, followed shortly thereafter.

Mike spent his school years in Linton and graduated from Linton Stockton High School in 1966, only to be drafted into the U.S. Army heading for Vietnam shortly thereafter, as many young men his age at that time did. Mike served 21 months, two tours, but was injured in combat and returned to the U.S. and was honorably discharged in October 1969. His commitment and loyalty to his country and fellow armed services members earned him the Purple Heart and numerous other military commendations. Mike formed many lifelong friendships with other members of military service throughout his years and had strong affiliations with military service organizations like the VFW and American Legion. Mike was a regular visitor to both engaging with other retired and active duty military members.

Mike was a strong union advocate and was one of the original members of Local 798 out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and one who journeyed to Fairbanks to work on the trans-Alaska pipeline in 1975 as a welder. His favorite phrase was, "There ain't nothin' finer than a pipeliner." At the completion of the pipeline, Mike continued to work as a pipefitter through Local 375 on numerous job sites from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. After retiring from Local 798, Mike joined Laborers Local 942 working special trades eventually retiring after five years.

Mike met Dianne Fiebiger, a divorced mom of two, in 1995. They were married June 27, 1999, and were best friends throughout his lifetime. Mike and Dianne were a great team and loved traveling and enjoyed many adventures together. After Mike's retirement, they made frequent trips to Hawaii as Mike loved the water, fishing, scuba diving, sailing and boating. Before his illness, Mike was also a member of several fraternal organizations, i.e.:, the Elk's Lodge, Masons, and the Shriners, as well as VFW and the American Legion, as mentioned above.

Dianne and Mike had a great life together, particularly during their retirement years. They loved their "little" log house in Hamilton Acres. Mike was so proud of his yard and kept it perfectly manicured and grew giant cabbages, while Dianne tended to her hanging baskets. During the summer months, Mike could be seen tinkering in the garage with his music blaring throughout the neighborhood where he joyfully handed out popsicles to the neighbor kids. He looked forward to little "Leilani" sneaking over to visit and get her popsicles and treats. Mike also had a very close relationship with Dianne's family and enjoyed many visits with Dianne's parents, Jack and Ginnie, her brothers and sisters, and Dianne's children and granddaughter. They were like his own family, and he was particularly fond of spending holidays celebrating with them and many visits to Ginnie's house for family gatherings.

Mike was a devout member of Zion Lutheran Church and attended regular services until his health started failing. He looked forward to Sunday church and listening to the messages shared in the sermons. Mike was a very spiritual man and a man of few words but had a huge heart and showed gentle kindness and acceptance to everyone.

Mike was preceded in death by both of his parents, in addition to Dianne's parents, who he loved and considered his own, Jack and Ginnie Brainerd.

Mike's family is saddened by his passing, and he will be sorely missed, particularly by his best friend and loving wife, Dianne. He is survived by Dianne; his stepchildren, Becky Fetzich (Jason) and Brandon Fiebiger (Ema); granddaughter, Emma, who Mike lovingly penned "Hollywood"; brothers-in-law, Dale Brainerd (Heidi), John Brainerd (Blake) and Chuck Brainerd (Anita); sisters-in-law, Judy Brainerd (Steve) and Heidi Yates (Tony); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held 3 p.m., May 25, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2982 David Road. Please bring good stories and fond memories to share of time spent with Mike.

Dianne and her family wish to thank Dr. Jackie Cox and her caring staff at the Fairbanks Cancer Care Center; Dr. Essam Shihadeh, at Fairbanks Radiation Oncology and his remarkable nurses; and the third floor Fairbanks Memorial Hospital nurses station for their support and kindness during Mike's final hours.

In lieu of flowers, Dianne asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org, the charity that Mike was particularly committed to and was near and dear to his heart. As Mike would say: "For God and country, some gave some, and some gave all."

Safe travels and sailing, Mike. Rest in peace.