Michael John Kotschegarow

World War Two drove the family from Russia to Austria and then to Germany. He lost his dad when he was about five years old. He came to the United States when he was 16 years old by ship with his brother, Nick and sister, Helen. He lived on a farm with his sister Tonja and her family in South Dakota until he moved to Yankton South Dakota and eventually joined the Army. He served at Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Lewis, Washington. He enjoyed his three Army years and loved to talk about them.

Mike was married for 52 1/2 years to Barbara and was a loving, thoughtful husband. They had two children, Marie and Scott.

Mike worked 40 years at Boeing. He was a hard worker at home and at Boeing. He was a good cook and often took food he had cooked to work to share with coworkers.

He was outgoing and friendly to everyone. Mike was a Mr. Fix It. If something could be repaired, he’d fix it. He also liked to work in his yard and garden and share his produce with our friends.

Mike has four grandchildren, Bonnie, Jeremy, Bryan and Bridgette and two great grandchildren, Frank and Ricky. He also has many loving nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.

We will miss him terribly.