Mike Fitzgerald was a down-to-earth “people” person. He was born January 18, 1931, at home in Varina, Iowa, to Emmett and (Mary) Helen (Wiewel) Fitzgerald, their fourth child and second son. He would eventually be one of fifteen siblings. His father was a livestock trader, which allowed his family to weather the Depression with little suffering.
Mike’s Catholic school education must have been a significant influence in his life, for he always championed education as essential to success in life. He played basketball in high school and was a life-long fan of basketball at every level. He dropped out of high school to join the Air Force in which he served for 9 years as a radio operator. While at home on leave, he met Joyce Larkins, and they were married at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda on June 19, 1952. Their first child, Douglas Randal, was born later that year, followed by Kimberly Marie (1954), Stanley Mark (1955), Craig Allen (1961), Kevin Patrick (1964), and Brenden John (1966). Michael was called ‘Pa’ by his kids.
Mike, Joyce, and the family settled in Omaha, Nebraska, after his time in the service. He had several jobs before getting a job at Martin’s Bakery, where he worked for five years as a baker. The family moved to California in 1963, living first in Oildale, then in Ridgecrest. After about two years when he worked several odd jobs, the family returned to Fonda, Iowa. Mike worked as a laborer at a grain elevator before attending barber school in Sioux City. He practiced that profession in Rockwell City, Iowa, where the family relocated in 1972. The family moved again in 1975, this time to Macon, Georgia. Mike cut hair until the family again moved to Macon County in 1980. There Mike tried his hand at several ventures, working at the paper mill, managing a convenience store, and owning a liquor store.
Mister Mike, as he was widely known, was an active member and Eucharistic Minister at his home parish of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Montezuma, Georgia, where he made life-long connections with his fellow parishioners. He was especially active in the lives of the children, as a chauffeur, confidant, and unofficial ‘confessor’ to several of the kids throughout their lives.
Mike was preceded in death by his bride Joyce in 2013. Michael’s health declined and he spent his last years cared for by his son Kevin. Mike passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. A Memorial Service is planned for Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM, in St. Michael’s in Montezuma, with later services and interment at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Fonda, Iowa, at a date and time yet to be determined.
To view this service live or at a later date, click on the link below or watch on our Facebook page.