Rev. Michael D. Botsford

The Rev. Michael Duane Botsford, age 72, of Kaukauna WI was called to his eternal home with Jesus on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. He breathed his last earthly breath at his home while under Hospice Care.

Mike was born March 16, 1949, in Lansing MI, the only son of Ronald and Betty Botsford.  He grew up in Lansing, graduating from Eastern High School in 1967. During his high school years and after graduation, he worked for Speaker Hines and Thomas Printing Company in Lansing. He married his wife, Jill (Barnett), on January 16, 1971. They lived in the Lansing and Jackson areas. Together they were blessed with two children, Heather and Steve. After obtaining a mechanics license, the family moved to Shelby MI, where he worked in the car repair business.  Mike began having a strong calling to work in the ministry. He started classes in the Michigan Lay Ministry Institute, then decided to continue his education at Concordia University, Mequon WI. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Lay Minister Certificate there in 1993, and served Nazareth Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. He was encouraged by many to become an ordained minister and, after many prayers, he enrolled in Concordia Seminary, St. Louis MO.  He was ordained into the ministry on August 16, 1998, serving Faith Lutheran, Maple WI and Tri-Lakes Mission Church, Superior WI.  He received a call to Whittemore IA, where he served St. Paul Lutheran until retiring for health reasons in 2014.

Mike and Jill retired to Rhinelander WI, and thoroughly enjoyed their years in the Northwoods. He filled his time gunsmithing, enjoying God’s creation, hunting, and filling in for clergy in the area. Most of all he enjoyed being a child of God and ministering to his congregations that he served. As his health further declined, Mike and Jill moved to Kaukauna, closer to family. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Kaukauna.

He dearly loved his family and cherished every happy moment with them. He was an amazing loving husband, dad, grandpa, and uncle.

Surviving him are his devoted wife, Jill; daughter Heather (Jim) Freiberg of Oshkosh WI; son Steven (Holly) Botsford of Germantown WI; and two grandsons, Seth Harms and Colton Botsford.  Also surviving are his two brothers-in-law Joseph Majeski of Skanee MI, and James Roth of Stanwood MI; his stepmother Betty Botsford of Phoenix AZ; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his parents, son-in-law Grant Harms, parents-in-law Ray and Helen Barnett; three sisters-in-law Marilyn Majeski, Dianne Roth, and Raylene Kay Roth; and one brother-in-law Jack Roth.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Rhinelander on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior and fellowship and lunch following the service.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.