February 14, 2022 at 11:39 a.m.
Rev. Michael Duane Botsford
Rev. Michael Duane Botsford
Mike was born on March 16, 1949, in Lansing, Mich., the only son of Ronald and Betty Botsford. He grew up in Lansing, graduating from Eastern High School in 1967. During his high school years and after graduation, he worked for Speaker Hines and Thomas Printing Company in Lansing. He married his wife, Jill (Barnett), on Jan. 16, 1971. They lived in the Lansing and Jackson areas. Together they were blessed with two children, Heather and Steve. After obtaining a mechanics license, the family moved to Shelby, Mich., where he worked in the car repair business. Mike began having a strong calling to working in the ministry. He started classes in the Michigan Lay Ministry Institute, then decided to continue his education at Concordia University, Mequon. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Lay Minister Certificate there in 1993, and served Nazareth Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. He was encouraged by many to become an ordained minister and, after many prayers, he enrolled in Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. He was ordained into the ministry on August 16, 1998, serving Faith Lutheran, Maple, Wis. and Tri-Lakes Mission Church, Superior. He received a call to Whittemore, Iowa where he served St. Paul Lutheran until retiring for health reasons in 2014.
Mike and Jill retired to Rhinelander and thoroughly enjoyed their years in the Northwoods. He filled his time gunsmithing, enjoying God's creation, hunting, and filling in for clergy in the area. Most of all he enjoyed being a child of God and ministering to his congregations that he served. As his health further declined, Mike and Jill moved to Kaukauna, closer to family. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Kaukauna.
He dearly loved his family and cherished every happy moment with them. He was an amazing loving husband, dad, grandpa, and uncle.
Surviving him are his devoted wife, Jill; daughter Heather (Jim) Freiberg of Oshkosh; son Steven (Holly) Botsford of Germantown; and two grandsons, Seth Harms and Colton Botsford. Also surviving are his two brothers-in-law Joseph Majeski of Skanee, Mich. and James Roth of Stanwood, Mich.; his stepmother Betty Botsford of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding him in death are his parents, son-in-law Grant Harms, parents-in-law Ray and Helen Barnett; three sisters-in-law Marilyn Majeski, Dianne Roth, and Raylene Kay Roth; and one brother-in-law Jack Roth.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Rhinelander on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior and fellowship and lunch following the service.
Verkuilen Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 2401 Fieldcrest Dr., Kaukauna, (920-766-2099) is serving the family.
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