Michael James McGee

Born and raised on the Eastside of St. Paul to James and Gertrude McGee, Mike was the oldest of three boys and a beloved husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend known for his kindness, selflessness, friendliness, and light-hearted, eye-rolling sense of humor.

It was Mike’s exceptional character and compassion for people that laid the foundation of his 30-year career as a police office at Columbia Heights Police Department (’77-’07). A graduate of Hill High School (’70) and the University of Minnesota (’74), Mike was proud to be among the first graduating class of Minnesota D.A.R.E officers (’91).

Mike spent over a decade in a squad on patrol in Heights, but his favorite time was spent teaching D.A.R.E at Immaculate Conception and Highland Elementary Schools. He influenced hundreds of students as the police liaison officer at Central Middle School and Columbia Heights High School.

Though known as “Officer McGee” to most, his many fishing buddies got to share in Mike’s joy of his favorite pastime on the lake, whether in a boat or in an ice house. As long as lines were in the water, Mike was in his happy place. When on dry land, Mike spent his time bowling (Keglers), researching family history as a member of the Polish Genealogical Society of Minnesota, skunking friends and family in many games of cribbage, and volunteered his time as an AARP tax preparer, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a regular blood donor (100+ units).

Mike was proud to live in the city he loved and protected with the catch of his life, Lauri, his wife of 42 years, with whom he raised two treasured daughters. Perhaps Mike’s favorite title was when he was his promoted to Papa in 2014 after his first grandson was born. He loved spending time with his grandsons and watching their skills progress on the field, mat, and ice rink.

He was preceded in death by his parents (James and Gertrude McGee) and uncle and aunt (John and Carol Kujawa).

Mike is survived by his wife, Lauri (Hawthorne), his daughters Erin McGee (Dan Young), Bre McGee (Dillon Pritchett), grandsons Harry and Alex Young, brothers, Pat (Kristin Linner) and Jim (Maureen), brother-in-law, Bill Hawthorne (Ginny), nephews Jimmy (Katie Gottas) and Colin McGee, niece and nephew Caitlin and Joe Hawthorne, cousins and countless friends, hundreds of students, as well as an entire community where the ripple effect of every interaction Mike had will be felt indefinitely.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 16, from 4–8 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m., at Sunset Funeral Home and Cemetery (2250 St. Anthony Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55418).

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Columbia Heights Police Association (checks may be mailed to Columbia Heights Police Department, 825 41st Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421), Minnesota D.A.R.E (https://mndare.org/), or Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (https://mnlema.org/).