Funeral services for 54-year-old Michael Salem of Butterfield, Minnesota, will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, January 13, 2016, at Community Bible Church in Butterfield. The church is located at 100 Chapman Street.
Interment will be in Butterfield City Cemetery, located on Watonwan County Road #5, south of Butterfield and south of Minnesota State Highway #60.
Visitation will be held at the Community Bible Church on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again at the church the day of the funeral service, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Sturm Funeral Home-St. James Chapel, is handling the funeral arrangements.
Michael Salem passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System-St. James.
Michael Charles Salem was born on May 29, 1961 in St. James, Minnesota, the son oft Joseph and Margaret (Wynn) Salem. They were thrilled to have a son after having had three daughters. Michael graduated from Butterfield-Odin High School in 1979. He then attended school at Willmar Vo-Tech for auto mechanics. Soon after graduation, Michael purchased and operated Salem Automotive in Butterfield from 1981-1996.
Michael married Jackie Suess in 1986 at “The Little Brown Church” in Nashua, Iowa. They were married for seven years and remained friends for the remainder of Michael’s life.
In Michael’s younger years, he enjoyed hunting, spending time with friends, riding cycle, and creating welding projects. Later in life, he enjoyed working with small electronics and shopping. Michael loved all animals and especially treasured the time he spent with his little dog, Dee-Dee. Michael called Dee-Dee his “little angel,” since she appeared on his porch not long after his mother had passed away in 1992. Michael enjoyed being around little children, and Halloween was always a highlight for him. He always paid special attention to the treats that he would hand out, and always looked forward to that time of year. He also enjoyed watching boxing on television and valued the time he was able to spend with his family, especially his three sisters and younger brother. His siblings will always remember his witty sense of humor. Although Michael struggled many years with depression, and later in life with medical issues ,resulting in chronic pain, he will always be remembered for being a very caring and loving brother and friend. Michael will be greatly missed.
Michael is survived by his siblings Rita, (Todd) Koenecke of Pierre, South Dakota; Barbara Salem of Butterfield; Doris (Paul) Kratochvil of Pueblo, Colorado and Wayne (Jess) Salem of North Mankato, Minnesota; a nephew, Samuel Koenecke of Pierre and a niece, Carson Kennedy of North Mankato. He was also looking forward to the upcoming birth of Wayne and Jess’ baby girl.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Salem; grandparents, Michael and Emma Salem and Hubert and Jennie Wynn and also many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
