Michael Donahue
April 4, 1942 ~ September 12, 2024
Born in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
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Michael passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 while in the loving care of the Community Living Center, Veterans Administration of Fargo. “He was a brilliant guy-what else can be said!”
Michael (Iron Mike) Joseph Donahue was born on April 4, 1942, the son of Charles N. and Lucille M. (Dwyer) Donahue, of Fargo, ND. Mike was raised in the Catholic Church, graduated from Shanley High School in 1960, received a degree in political science from Moorhead State University and was the oldest child in a family of 10.
In 1963 he met Judith (Judy) Stevenson who would become his beautiful wife. They wed 60 years ago on August 22nd at St. Anthony’s of Fargo. The two of them began their married life in Fargo where Mike worked as a police officer. In 1965 they had their only child, Matthew. They went on to live in Grand Forks, Minot, and Bismarck (40 years), and in November of 2023 they came full circle and returned to Fargo.
Mike and Judy lived the army life. Mike entered the army as an E1 where he served in Korea and Vietnam. He joined the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1964 as a Specialist 5 and retired as a Colonel with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, North Dakota Army National Guard in 1997. He was also awarded The Legion Of Merit in 1997.
Mike thoroughly enjoyed raising springer spaniels, dog training and trials, bird hunting, sailing and fishing for crappies. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them to drive the tractor, to hunt and to fish. And to make a long story short, he loved telling stories. He was also the first to say “If it interests you-go for it”!
Mike is survived by his wife Judy, his son Matthew (Dana) of Fargo, his grandson Reiley (Sarah) of Tennessee, and his granddaughter Rachel of Grand Forks. He is also survived by his siblings Colleen (Bill) Curtis, Charles (Eileen) Donahue, John (Patrice) Donahue, Deb (Mark)Rasmussen, Steven (Judy) Donahue, Msgr. Brian Donahue, Kevin (Karen) Donahue, Mary (Alex) Saharieff, and sister in law Diana Donahue as well as a gaggle of nieces and nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Lucille Donahue, and his brother Patrick Donahue of Grand Forks, ND, and his great niece Jessica Donahue.
Celebrate my Life!
*In lieu of flowers memorials to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Mandan or Homeward Animal Shelter, Fargo.
Interment with Military Honors: 1:00 PM Friday, October 4, 2024 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
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Services
Memorial Service - Friday: September 20, 2024 11:00 am
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
Visitation - Friday: September 20, 2024 10:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/
Burial: October 4, 2024 1:00 pm
North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery Mandan ND
1825 46th St
Mandan, North Dakota 58554
(701) 667-1418
https://www.ndguard.nd.gov/veterans-cemetery
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Michael Donahue 's name.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
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Rest in peace Colonel miss our hunting trips and time in Honduras
There are so many things to be loved and celebrated about Mike…his humor; his natural leadership talent; his “let’s get this done (correctly)” attitude; his love and appreciation for nature; his calculated, common sense approach to problem solving; his loyalty to friends and colleagues! He is truly a guy that helped shape the professional life of many (including myself). “Iron Mike” doesn’t begin to capture the compassion he has for the people that met the standards to deserve his respect and friendship!
He was a great leader and caring man. I served in the Army guard from 1970-1977. Prayers to the family and may his soul rest in peace.
I enjoyed the time Mike and I spent working together on the Bismsrck DU committee and talking of hunting , hunting dogs and the outdoors.
Condolences to Judy and his entire family.
As Mike’s remaining 1st cousin on his Aunt Bernice’s side I want to extend my condolences to Judy and his family. I have fond remembrance of growing up in Fargo with the whole Donahue family. I admired Mike for all of the same reasons and will always recall his Clint Eastwood smile. Until we are reunited in God’s presence, RIP Mike.
Pleasure to serve with you COL Mike! You certainly provided solid mentoring for several of us! Stand tall in heaven soldier, you served your state and country well!
So sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family.
To the family of Col (Iron Mike) Donahue, I’m very sorry for your loss. I got to know and serve with Col Donahue with HHC 164th ECB in Minot in the early 70’s. He was one of the best officers I knew, both active duty and in the Army National Guard. I thank him for his service to the United States Army.
Judy and family, Verdel and I are so sorry to hear about COL Mike’s passing. We want to extend our deepest sympathy. The COL was a great leader and a true patriot and it was my pleasure to serve with him. Verdel and I were just reminiscing of the time we spent together in Minot. We have some fond memories of that time. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron and Verdel Hopfauf
Judy & family: Linda & I express our condolences. Mike’s military character came into my life when he & Jim Hoop were in Grand Forks. I had the privilege of following Mike as commander of the 191st Military Police Company. It is in that environment that I saw Mike’s character, intellect, dedication, passion, resilience & compassion. As a young commander, he provided me immeasurable & lasting mentorship.
Then there was the great, intense, unending discussions with Mike, Ole Sundeen & myself, over many times, nothing.
Thanks Mike for the guidance & mentorship over the years, the pheasant & goose hunting ventures & for the memories, you will always be remembered. Jerry & Linda
In the North Dakota Army National Guard, Mike was one of the good guys. It was a pleasure and fun to have served with him. I enjoyed his humor.
God Bless you Michael. My life was blessed when you gave me your trust and confidence as a you man. We are all praying for you and your family. We can only imagine the love you are experiencing. God love you!
Up in Minot at the 164 Engr Bn, all of us had a strong bond, so strong that my wedding was considered a military wedding with the Minot Guard Full-timers as wedding partipants. Judy, of course was one of our coffee servers.
I remember Mike walking the halls, stomping his boots loudly to let you know he’s on his way (management by walking around) and you better be 300% working by the time he passed by your office, OR ELSE! Yes, I heard many a repremands in the day, but I thankfully didn’t receive any of the Wrath of Mike.
I liked to bet and see if anyone could figure out the answer. Mike would never bet unless he knew the answer, which was pretty much all the time.
My favorite was when Mike ordered 1000 matches in a match box and then counted them when he received the box to see if there were indeed 1000 matches. Guess what, false advertising, not 1000 matches in the box. Mike wrote to the company to tell them just that and they said they would give him a lifetime of matches for their error. I know he was just having fun with them but again that was what I loved about his humor. He didn’t really care that there were less than 1000 matches, it was that he called them on it and it was funny to me.
I decided to pull one over on him so on my new tour orders, I whited out a couple of lines and add in “when the weather is over 80 degrees, you get to have the day off.” I said, Col Donahue, I think there’s a glitch in my orders, please read them.” He read them throughougly and then I saw a smirk on his face, he then looked directly at me and ordered me to take the day off. What a guy!!! What a Leader, What a Mentor, What a True Friend.
Though the years, we have celebrated our birthdays – his on April 4th and mine on April 6th.
It’s truly been a blessing to have had this friendship for so many years and I look forward in continuing this friendship when we meet again.
This you can bet on and he’ll agree.
Missed, but never forgotten.
Love from my family to yours, forever.
SGD
So sorry to hear of Michael’s death. Our sympathies for your loss and prayers for Michael and the family.
Extending my sincere condolences