Michael "Mike" Donavon Fitcher

Michael (Mike) Donavon Fitcher, 82, passed away on January 5, 2025, in Owatonna, MN.

Private family services will be held. Interment with military honors will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park in Mankato. Arrangements by Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato. www.woodlandhillsfh.com

Mike was born on February 5, 1942, in Mankato, MN, to Charles “Dale” and Lorraine (Quirk) Fitcher of Mankato, MN. After graduating from Mankato High School in 1960, he joined the United States Air Force. Mike married his high school sweetheart Barbara (Fenger) in 1962; they remained married for 62 years. In 1963, Mike was deployed to Vietnam. He proudly served in the US Air Force until 1965. After his military service, as a hardworking provider for his family, Mike held a variety of jobs. First working in the restaurant industry and then moving to WI for a sales position at Hormel. He then proudly worked for the Milwaukee Road Railroad for 10-years. The family then moved back to MN where Mike worked in the restaurant industry, then onto sales and service in the automotive industry for 20-years before retiring in 2006.

In retirement, Mike enjoyed yardwork and watching westerns. He also enjoyed car shopping and spending time with his grandkids in their hobbies and sports. Mike was a life-long avid Minnesota Vikings fan. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement to the fullest.

Mike is survived by his loving wife Barbara Fitcher of Owatonna, MN; son Todd (Susanne) Fitcher of Savage, MN; son Tim (Roxanna) Fitcher of Brownsville, TX; daughter Robyn (Shawn) Sprow of Rochester, MN; and son Dan (Anna) Fitcher of Owatonna, MN; brother Gary (Geri) Fitcher of Richmond, MN; sister-in-law Mary Fitcher of Lake Crystal, MN; aunt Arlene Neilsen of Mankato, MN; and sisters-in-law Kathy (Rick) Weber of Mankato, MN, Deb Sandvik of Mankato, MN, and Sharon Oachs of Tempe, AZ; grandchildren Derek (Ashley), Ryan (Ashley), Brandon (Sabrina), Charles (Maggie), Emily (Matt), Kayla (Keegan), Reese, Kamryn, Jenna, Blake, and Brynlee; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and by his beloved pet Charlie.

He is preceded in death by his parents Charles “Dale” and Lorraine Fitcher; brother Tim Fitcher; mother and father-in-law Gerald and Charlotte Fenger; uncles Jerry Neilsen, Don Fitcher, and Lawrence Quirk; brothers-in-law Jerry Fenger and Robert Oachs.