Michael Jerome Van Thomma

Michael J. Van Thomma of Bemidji passed away on Monday, November 19, 2018 at the age of 71 in his home.

A celebration of life will be held on November 29, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Bemidji. Arrangements were entrusted to the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji.

Born September 21, 1947 in Northfield, Minnesota, he was the son of the late Colon and Margaret (Howie) Van Thomma. Michael attended Bemidji High School after which he had many different jobs including construction, pipeline, delivery jobs, and also performed maintenance and set-up at the Holiday Inn for a few years until he acquired the job in the maintenance department at Bemidji State University for 24 years. Mike retired from BSU in 2012 due to health issues.

Mike married Barbara Larsson on September 8, 1973 in Bemidji, MN. The two were married 45 years and raised three girls – Shawna, Rachel, and Heather. Mike truly enjoyed the great outdoors. He spent many years of his life camping with family and friends, fishing, and hunting. He was certainly a story teller, loved to play cards, “shoot the bull” in the garage with the guys, and go golfing. He was very proud of his hole-in-one - not once, but twice – even though one was with a mulligan! His latest love was playing bingo at the palace on Friday and Saturday nights with his wife and girls.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Van Thomma of Bemidji, MN; daughters Shawna Van Thomma of Bemidji, MN, Rachel (Trai) Ford of Bullard, TX, and Heather (Tom) Williamson of Bemidji, MN; grandchildren Chelsie, Tyler, Hunter, Landon, Olivia, Trevin, and Bentley; and sister  Gail (Stan) Bauman and brother James Van Thomma both of Bemidji, MN.

Online guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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