1967 Roosevelt High School Grad Mike Botten Passes at Age 59

The church was packed yesterday in south Minneapolis with many friends of Mike Botten unable to find a seat standing to support his family facing Mike’s untimely death from cancer.  Many of us who saw Mike nearly every day in high school did not stay in touch with him much after high school and the early years thereafter.  Listening to the stories yesterday brought a smile to my face remembering Mike and our group of friends and events that Mike always seemed to be in the middle of.

Mike is survived by his wife, Pat, and son Joe. His working career was at FedEx where he left many co-worker friends.  I did not know what to expect at the service, but I knew that I needed to be there to connect again with Mike and my memories of our friendship.

Mike and I lived above the Cedar Lake Floral Shop on Cedar and Lake after graduation from high school along with Jim West.  Not a day passed without some story, crisis, prank or plan.  Mike was a doer.  He got people moving.  He was always in the middle if not creating the event.  He was a big man.  He made no small mark.  His personality extended well beyond the immediate moment and contact.  He was well known and most of his friends have many Botten stories -  I have many because I was in the middle of many of them.  So does Billy Hallquist, Al Sterner, Mike MacCauley, Gary Lewis, Guy Johnston, Tom Page, and all of the members of the Roosevelt High School Class of 1967 that ever went to the Fire Barn dances.  Man, could Mike dance.  He always looked good with his pressed shirt and pants.  Mike could really dance.

Mike’s eulogy touched upon his love of his family, church, golf, softball and many friends.  What was most memorable about Mike and the testament of his many friends in attendance is that Mike Botten lived life in the moment and in many instances brought joy and laughter to others.  Those of us that knew Mike in the day would say he could also be a handful.  But so were we.

I left the church very glad that I went to the service.  I had a smile on my face remembering Mike and hearing the stories.  I will always remember those stories-my stories with Mike.  Rest in peace Michael.