On December 28th, at the age of 74, Michael George Parlin passed away at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, in the company of his loving wife Diane, and several of his family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Madeline Parlin, stepfather Jack Holland, and many beloved uncles and aunts. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, four sisters, seven children, eleven grandchildren, and an abundance of married and extended family.
Michael George Parlin was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 22nd, 1948, the first born child of Paul Franklin and Madeline Lenore Parlin. He grew up in Bloomington with his parents and four sisters, where he attended Bloomington Kennedy High School and at 18, joined the Army. Mike proudly served his country voluntarily during the Vietnam War, working as a mechanic at Fort Greely, Alaska, repairing vehicles and studying arctic survival. In 1969 when his father passed away. Mike received an honorary discharge so that he could return home to help his mother and younger siblings.
As a young man, Mike attended the Dunwoody College of Technology, where he earned a diploma in Automotive Service Technology and later went on to work as a mechanic (while also fixing and drag racing cars in his free time.) While bowling with friends, Mike met his future wife, Diane Kersey. They courted, fell in love, and were married on August 30, 1974. Both wanting many children, they immediately started planning for a large family.
Drawing on his expansive mechanical aptitude and exceptional work ethic, Mike held jobs at R.C. Cola, the Sheraton Ritz Hotel, The University of Minnesota, and U of M Fairview Hospital where he eventually retired in 2010. Mike continually sought to improve himself through ongoing education, receiving many certifications and licenses in the field of mechanical engineering. He was especially proud of the work he did to improve and care for the complex steam heating systems at Fairview Hospital. For many years, he also served as union steward, advocating for the voice of his colleagues.
When not working, Mike enjoyed fishing, relaxing on his Wisconsin lake property, watching The History Channel, and going to vintage auto shows, where he could identify the make and model of almost any vehicle by its tail lights. An endless tinkerer, Mike always had a project car (or several) and preferred older American made vehicles - especially Buicks and Fieros, and for the family, a good old fashioned station wagon. On any given day, it was not uncommon to trip over an engine block in the kitchen, or find a pile of car manuals near his favorite spot on the sofa.
More than anything, Mike loved having his family gathered around him - for a big Christmas dinner, the Back to the Fifties Car Show, and perhaps most of all, for an annual Fourth of July camping trip. His specialties were over-the-fire steak and potatoes, and a run-for-your-life fireworks display.
Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of this son, veteran, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
A visitation for Michael will be held Tuesday, January 3rd from 11:00-1:00 at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the family would be appreciated.
A private burial ceremony will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
