Michael Dean Scott

April 4, 1957 – October 6, 2025

In the early morning hours on October 6, 2025, Mike Scott of Cumming, Iowa, surrounded by his loving wife and family, went home to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior at age 68. In the days since, the stories shared and good times remembered have painted the same picture — of a man who truly portrayed that saying, “It’s not the years in your life that matter, but the life in your years.” Mike had a knack for finding fun wherever he went. His life was filled with purpose, humor, and love for the people who shared it.

Mike was raised in Alden, Iowa, and graduated from Alden High School in 1975. A short time later, a friend introduced him to the love of his life, Jean Neal of Earlham, Iowa, who was attending Ellsworth Community College. They married on June 18, 1977—which was the start of 48 years filled with laughter, teamwork and unwavering devotion.

Mike and Jean built a beautiful home together on a wooded acreage with a pond outside of Cumming, where an abundance of wildlife kept them entertained. Their deck is not only a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, but a place where Mike enjoyed grilling a good rib-eye and smoking a variety of meats. He loved to cook.

Family was everything to Mike and Jean. He relished every gathering — from backyard cookouts to Christmas get-togethers, to family bowling tournaments (where sportsmanship was optional, but fun was mandatory). Mike and Jean loved spending time with their children and grandchildren and spent many hours cheering them on at football, softball, and basketball games. Among their favorite activities was taking the grandchildren to plays. They enjoyed many memorable trips with family to places like the Boone Bike Train, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, the House on the Rock in Wisconsin, an RV adventure through the Badlands, a work trip to Vancouver, Washington, a Neal family cruise to Alaska and Sandusky family cruise to Jamaica. Every journey was a chance to see something new, laugh about something unexpected, and come home with a story that got better every time he told it.

After retiring from West Des Moines Water Works, Mike turned his passion for knifemaking into something more than a hobby. In 2017, he founded Scott’s Custom Cutlery, creating hand-forged knives that reflected both artistry and precision. He especially loved crafting Damascus steel, layering and folding different metals together to form those intricate, rippled patterns that made each blade unique. Mike’s knives are admired by people who own them and by fellow craftsmen alike. He was a proud member of the Knifemakers’ Guild. Recently Mike shared what mattered most about his work, saying, “In the past 30 plus years I’ve made a lot of knives and met some wonderful bladesmiths. But my all-time favorite knife making experience was helping my grandson make his first one.” That says a lot about who Mike was — generous, patient, and happiest when helping others.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Mike found peace in nature — whether deer hunting and camping with friends and sons, fishing trips with his buddies, or sitting on the back deck with Jean watching the well-fed birds on the feeders who clearly thought they owned the place.

Mike is deeply missed by his wife, Jean; his children Thaddeus Scott of Iowa City; Cole (Marcia) Scott of Waukee and their daughter Kalli Henke (18) an Iowa State University student; and Brynn (Clint) Anderson of Des Moines and their children Milo (12) and Ivy (10). He is also survived by his sisters Linda (Jim) McCabe of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and Ila (Alan) Ford of Owasso, Oklahoma. A long list of nieces and nephews will also remember Uncle Mike’s humor, practical jokes, and his gift for making each of them feel like a favorite.

Mike’s friends describe him as creative, humble, and gracious — a great man with a big heart. Others remember him as the kind of man who could strike up a good conversation anywhere and leave people smiling.

His legacy lives on through his family, his friendships, and the countless acts of kindness he shared — including his final gift as an organ donor.

Visitation for Mike will be held at 10:00 a.m., with funeral services at 11:00 on Friday, October 10, at Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines. A private interment will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank all who have shared their memories and heartfelt condolences. Mike would’ve loved the stories — and probably added a few of his own.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family of Michael Scott.