Michael John "Mike" Fedorchak, 69, Minot died on Thursday, March 22, 2012 in a Minot hospital.

Mike was born on June 6, 1942 in Wilkes-Barre PA to Joseph and Sadie (Thomas) Fedorchak. Mike's Grandmother Thamine "Thelma" Thomas survived the sinking of the Titanic and he knew her good fortune made the blessings of his life possible. He was reared and educated in Wilkes-Barre and graduated from Meyers High School in 1960. Mike enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 24, 1960 and served for 20 years specializing as an air traffic controller until his honorable discharge in 1980.

Mike met Elizabeth Hyland while stationed in England. They were married on July 28, 1962 in Ruislip, Middlesex England. They spent Mike's military career stationed in many parts of the world and in 1976 they landed at Minot Air Force Base. Mike fell in love with the prairie and the sense of place it offered so he and Betty made Minot their home.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mike was employed as an insurance salesman for the The Principal Financial Group for eight years and for other companies since that time. He also served as a loyal assistant, though woefully underpaid, to his wife Betty who owns and manages Esoterica woman's clothing store in downtown Minot.

Mike was an active volunteer in Minot for nearly 30 years, devoting countless hours to a variety of organizations involving the Air Force Base and youth sports. Mike was a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International, and was a Silver Beaver Award recipient from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a past president of the Air Force Association (AFA) and under Mike's leadership as the local AFA president, the chapter received recognition as "Best in Nation" sweeping every award possible that year. Mike was a soccer referee for FIFA, a member of the Ambassadors Committee of the Minot Chamber of Commerce and a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. This winter he was inducted into the North Dakota Soccer Hall of Fame in recognition of his pioneering work to organize youth soccer in North Dakota.

Mike was an excellent athlete excelling in football in high school and later becoming a second degree black belt in karate. In his adult years he especially enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing and was an avid golfer. The Sportsman Feed to benefit young airmen was one of his favorite annual events. He cooked at this benefit for 28 years.

Mike loved traveling and all things Irish- the music, the food, the beer, the clothes and especially the witty people. He adopted his wife Betty's homeland of Ireland as if it were his own, and treasured their annual trips there.

Mike was a big, generous man who had a big personality and heart to match. He lived life to the fullest, delighting in telling stories, teasing and laughing with gusto. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his fun loving, boisterous and giving spirit.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Betty; children: Odette (Greg) Scheel of Fargo, Michael (Julie) Fedorchak of Bismarck and Veronica Fedorchak of Milwaukee WI; six grandchildren: Sarah, Andrew, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Nathan and Samuel; one great grandchild: Keira; siblings: Lorraine (Allan) Ontko of Kingston PA, Bernie (Virginia) Fedorchak of Walcott Iowa, Elizabeth (Robert) Brislin and Peter (Ruth Anne) Fedorchak all of Mountain Top PA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Joseph and sister-in-law: Elke.

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Monday at 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.
Graveside Service: Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery rural Mandan.
Visitation: Monday from noon until 3:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Minot and from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the church.
Memorials are preferred to the Minot Junior Golf Association, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church or an organization of the donor's choice.