MICHAEL JOHN PALMER

Michael John Palmer

November 23, 1959-July 11, 2020

Michael John Palmer, age 60 of Fairfax, MN passed into eternal life on July 11, 2020 at his farm in rural Fairfax with his family by his side.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 am on Friday, July 17, 2020, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. Father Bruno Santiago will celebrate the Mass.

Visitation will be from 4-8 pm on Thursday and continue from 9:30-10:30 am on Friday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax.

Mike was born on November 23, 1959, in New Ulm, MN to James and Bernice (Dummer) Palmer. He attended St. Andrew’s Catholic school through 8^th grade and graduated in 1978 from Fairfax Public High School. He graduated from Willmar Area Technical College with an Ag Business degree. He farmed all his life.

On July 10, 1993 Mike married Jolene Serbus. He enjoyed teaching his daughters at a young age how to work the land and grow pumpkins. He was always behind the scenes while the girls raised pumpkins for many years.

Mike’s hobbies included anything to do with farming, he was always thinking and looking for ways to improve production. He took great pride in being able to continue his parent’s legacy. Mike had the ability to make people laugh with his sense of humor and witty one-liners. When he wasn’t farming, he was supporting his daughters in their activities and life adventures.

While Covid-19 has had its negative impact on many lives, it brought the opportunity for all of his daughters to be home these past four months. A blessing we will always be grateful for.

Mike is survived by his wife, Jolene; daughters, Stephanie, Duluth, MN, Jenn, Brookings, SD and Megan, Bismarck, ND; brothers, Tom (Denise) Palmer, Dan (Janelle) Palmer; sister: Mary (Kevin) O’Keefe; sister-in-law, Tracie Palmer; mother-in-law, Beatrice Serbus; brother-in-law’s, Mark, Dean (Nancy), Scott (Carol), Dan (Marilyn) and Ron; sister-in-law, Mary Kay (Ron) Kiecker; many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Steve (2019), Pat (1978) and Doug (1971); his grandparents and father-in-law, George Serbus and nephew, Matthew Serbus.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers and/or plants, please make a donation to the Renville County Walk in the Park in memory of Mike. Renville County Walk in the Park is similar to Relay for Life; however, all funds from Renville County Walk in the Park are distributed to families within Renville County.

Funeral arrangements are being made with the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of Gibbon, MN. To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org.