Michael C. Kaiser was born in Miles City to Charles and Lorrain (Muggli) Kaiser. He spent his youth in Miles City, attending Sacred Heart School, lettering in football, basketball and track.
After high school, he enlisted in the Army where he served our country for four years, completing three tours of Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart. He attended Northern Montana College for four years and graduated at the top of his class with degrees in Welding, Construction Materials Management, Engineering and Surveying. Many of you may have known Mike more recently as a Certified Land Surveyor. He bought his business from Don Beckman and was the only certified surveyor from Havre to Williston.
Mike was like a book you were not sure you wanted to read, then could not put down because every chapter got more and more interesting. He loved to read and learn, be challenged and solve problems. His knowledge base was unending, and he could discuss intelligently most any topic –such a bright man- and his interests were as varied. He was a licensed pilot, a certified scuba diver, small and large engine mechanic, carpenter, earth moving specialist, inventor and soil tester. Most importantly he had a wicked, dry sense of humor that surfaced when you least expected. He was a prankster and loved to make people laugh.
Mike was a man of integrity, humility and kindness, always ready to help but never taking the spotlight. He was a religious man who did not talk about it, but lived it and believed in leading by example not words. He is the past president of the St. Raphael’s Parish Council and was a member of the Glasgow School Board from February 2016 until May 2021.
He is survived by his wife, Jan; son, Tony, daughter, Katie; sisters, Barb (Gary) Fleischer, Cynthia (Mike) Frankovich and Bernie (Warren) Garber; three nieces and one nephew. He is preceded in death by his brother, Edward; father, Charles and mother, Lorraine.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Valley County Pool Campaign or the Glasgow High School Educational Trust.
Rosary vigil will be held 6:30 p.m., Monday, January 9, 2023 at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Glasgow, Montana. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church with Father Jose Valliparambil officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, Montana. Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:30 p.m.
Monday January 9, 2023
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
10:30 a.m.
Tuesday January 10, 2023
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Ave N.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial with Military Honors
Tuesday January 10, 2023
Highland Cemetery
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Reception
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 10, 2023
Glasgow Elks Lodge
309 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:30 p.m.
Monday January 9, 2023
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Avenue North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
10:30 a.m.
Tuesday January 10, 2023
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Ave N.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial with Military Honors
Tuesday January 10, 2023
Highland Cemetery
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Reception
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 10, 2023
Glasgow Elks Lodge
309 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Paul Zinner says
I’ll always remember Mike for his exquisite mastery of woodworking. Having walked through Jan and his home on various occasions, I got to see the detail of his craftsmanship, and can say how impressed I was, as this was not his profession, but it certainly was his passion, and he loved it!
Rest in peace, Mike.
Sherri and Brad Henderson says
Mike was an amazing guy! From making sure I always got to church at NMC (he promised my mom) to those “great day in Great Falls” trips…he was a good friend and will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan and his children.
JOLENE DOMMER says
Sorry for your loss. I knew Mike from Northeran Montana College. He would give me a ride home to Glasgow during holiday breaks
Joe Muggli says
Mike was always full of information, if he hadn’t done it, he had helped someone else do it. He helped me get signed up for classes at Northern Montana College. He also was willing to help out when he was home during the holiday season. He would come out to the farm and clean out grain bins or shovel snow or hang drywall. He always had some pointers when assisting with projects. He helped me paint an old Freightliner truck one afternoon. I was impressed when he made his own recurve bow and wasn’t afraid to use it. He was not afraid to try something. He was down to earth and practical. He will be greatly missed.
Brenda Rummel says
I first met Mike when I was in high school hanging out with Carol Wesen. Then in College at Northern. Mike will be greatly missed by many people he encountered over the years.
Prayers for the repose of his soul and for God’s comfort for his family and friends. God bless.
ARNOLD & ANN HILL says
Dear Jan and Kaiser Family,
My wife, Ann, and I offer our deepest condolences for your loss. Mike and I met and became buddies while taking many classes together at NMC.
Mike was a kind person who had a respectful standing among his colleagues. In my opinion, his vast work experience and diverse skills, amassed even before college, put him a few pegs above the average student. Mike was always eager to learn new things; it made him a well-rounded individual.
Some of my favorite college memories of Mike include ice fishing around Havre, catching a ride downtown in his classic 1953 Mercury car, and being part of a team that actually won the beer truck tug-of-war pulling contest.
Then during one summer, we took a ‘Surveying and Mapping’ class that was carried out in the Bears Paw mountains. Several of us brainstormed the idea of getting an aerial photo map of the work we did on the ground. Mike, with his pilot’s license and camera in hand, secured a plane and we headed up to the sky. It was incredible! I’ll never forget that day—totally cool. The photo wasn’t all that great given the fact it was taken from a small side window of the plane, soaring at ultra-high-speed, and with a cheap little instant camera. However, the venture did impress our professor. He gave us high praise for our submission and told us that he could not recall any past class ever doing such a thing. And this was done way before the days of Google maps and GPS systems!
Over the years following college, we stayed in touch. I’d occasionally call him with a personal surveying project. He was always willing to help. We also enjoyed bouncing ideas around with one another. Mike had an inherent ability to think outside the box; it was something that made Mike, Mike. He influenced me in a really positive way.
It seems time works against us when we get busy with our lives. We often regret not setting aside more time to spend with those important to us. I will miss Mike greatly, but will always remember him as being an honorable, accomplished man and a steadfast friend.
May all of you find peace through your own memories of Mike.
Sincerely,
Arnold and Ann Hill
Martha Tewell says
Jan and family I am so sorry for your loss
Netty McIntyre says
Jan, Tony and Katie, you are in our hearts and prayers.
Blessings, Ted and Netty McIntyre
Larry Tade says
Jan and family. There never are words but so very saddened to learn of your loss. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Cherie Lowry says
Our sincere, heartfelt condolences to Jan, Tony, Katie; as well as the Kaiser and Muggli families.
We were so saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. He was a special guy and good friend to the Thomas Rice family. Especially a great, lifelong friend of my brother Charles A. Rice. May they all play pranks on each other again along with Ed in another realm.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
In empathy,
Mike & Cherie’ Lowry
Gary Knudsen says
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. For the past 25 years that I have been an appraiser I always knew that if I had a plat map that was surveyed and prepared by Mike that there was nothing ever to worry about because it has been done by one of the best professional to ever run a tape and then get it recorded. God Bless You Mike, you will be greatly missed.
Kenton Foundas says
I have not talked to Mike since we graduated from SHHS. Very sorry about your loss and my God bless you and all of his family. Read with interest the obituary about all oh accomplishments and only wish I would have been closer. My life took me to other states and work was in no way associated with his activities.
God bless and keep you safe. My His face shine upon you.
Millie (Allen) Kindle says
Sorry for your Loss. Mike always had an infectious smile and I enjoying visiting with him while I was at Northern.