Michael Gleason

Michael Paul Gleason passed away in hospice care in Rapid City, SD on December 4, 2025, due to complications from hemochromatosis. He was 62 years old.

Michael was born on January 26, 1963 to Lyle and Delores (Irish) McGuire Gleason in Princeton, Minnesota.  Michael was just two years old when his family moved to Wadena after his father's unexpected passing.  He grew up on his stepfather, Stan Tabery's, dairy farm.

After graduating from Wadena High School in 1981, Michael attended Wadena Technical College to become an electrical lineman.  He spent fifteen years working for the City of Breckenridge and then spent over 20 years with Xcel Energy in the Twin Cities. Michael loved being a Lineman!

He enjoyed four-wheeling, riding his motorcycle, and traveling across the world.  Michael met Nguyet in Vietnam on one of his many trips.  They were married in 2014, and in 2024, they bought their dream home in Piedmont, South Dakota.  Michael will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to give everyone he knew a nickname.

He is survived by his wife of eleven years, Nguyen Nguyet; his children, Jesse (Paula) Gleason of Buffalo, MN; Megan (Troy) Grinnen of Fergus Falls, MN; stepchildren, Christopher Storiem of Fergus Falls, MN and Ky Duyen Dao Nguyen of Rapid City, SD, and ten grandchildren: Liam and Brady Gleason; Sean, Makenna, Miles, Everett, Vivian, Elizabeth, June, and Walter Grinnen.  He is also survived by his brother Scott (Jo) Rohr of Alexandria, MN, and his sister Linda (Dick) Lloyd of Sauk Rapids, MN, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Lyle Gleason; his mother, Deloris (Irish) Tabery; his stepfather, Stan Tabery; his grandparents, Harry and Ruby Gleason; and Walter and Iva McGuire.

A memorial service will be held at Karvonen Funeral Home in Wadena, Minnesota, on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11:00.  Visitation begins at 10:00.  Internment will follow.  Michael's final wishes were to be buried next to his father in the Calvary Cemetery in Wadena, MN.  Special thanks to his best friend, Tim Schwartz, and his wife, Brenda, for their help in planning Michael's services.

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