Mike Milbrath

Mike Milbrath, 77, of North Mankato passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Friday, January 24, 2025.

Please join the family for visitation from 3:30-4:30p.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, with Memorial Service to follow.

Mike Milbrath was born September 18, 1947 to Minnie (McMurlyn) and Donald Milbrath. Mike attended Elysian Grade School and a graduated from Waterville High School in1965.

In July of 1965 Mike enlisted in the US Navy and completed his training in Great Lake Illinois. He served on the USS Guadalcanal LPH-7, as a Boatswain Mate, gunner’s mate, and firefighter. On July 21, 1965 he and other members aboard the USS Guadalcanal participated in the recovery of the Gemini 10 spacecraft assisting astronauts Jon Young and Michael Colling. While on board the vessel, he traveled to Martinique, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Panama, Curacao, and the Bahamas.

On April 27, 1968, he took Mary C. Miller’s hand in marriage at St. Canice Church in Kilkenny, Minnesota. The two of them moved to Laurel, Maryland until Mikes discharge from active duty returning to Minnesota. 

Upon discharge from the US Navy, Mike attended South Central College receiving his welding degree. He began his career at Kayot Pontoons, transitioning to businesses where he crafted many of the metal work projects around Mankato, building many fire escapes, spiral stair cases, steel beam supports and welding the dike on the Minnesota River. For the rest of his career, he assisted in the design and building of the first Jarriff tree trimer and continued working for Jarriff until his retirement in 2013.

Mike was a life member of Swan Lake Conservation Club where he volunteered hundreds of hours to the “Over the Water Nesting Basket Project”, Building over 1000 elevated steel baskets located within the 10,000-acre watershed with his good friend, Mark Lynch, and the help of other volunteers. The two continued the project for 18 years greatly increasing the waterfowl population of Swan Lake. 

Mike had many hobbies that he shared with friends and family alike, including fishing, water skiing, duck hunting and riding his motorcycle. He became a member of the Minnesota “Wings,” paying a dollar extra for annual dues, because of being “Irish”. He and Mary shared many hours riding and exploring unfamiliar places on the “wing”.

Mike was an honorable man with a moral compass unlike any other. He always told the truth, never hesitated to help a friend, and could make anyone laugh. He was full of great stories and endless jokes. He was a strong man, afraid of nothing, with a huge heart. His passing is an enormous loss to those who knew him.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mary of 56 years; daughters, Cindy Milbrath and Laura Milbrath; grandsons, Finnegan and Sullivan (Milbrath) Connor, Samuel and Henry (Milbrath) Coan; sisters, Barbara King, and Peggy Weber; sisters-in-law, and brothers-in law, Margaret (Miller) and Robert Brewer, JoAnn (Miller) and Gary Polinski, Mike Miller, and Tim and Sandy Miller, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and dear Friends. 

Mike is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Debbie Milbrath; mother and father in-law, Catherine (Finnegan) and Clarence (Babe) Miller, and sister-in-law, Judy Miller.

“Semper Fortis” …. You will be missed!