- Date Of Birth: January 13, 1947
- Date Of Death: February 2, 2017
- State: Minnesota
Michael John Duclos, age 70, of Akeley, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis with his family by his side. Mike was born on January 13, 1947, in Litchfield, MN, the son of Joseph and Edna (Beswick) Duclos.
He grew up on a farm north of Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1965. Following graduation, Mike started working at Hughs Motors in Litchfield. He married Kathleen Lois McGraw on June 21, 1969 in Forest City, MN. The two resided in Litchfield when Mike decided to start his own mechanic business in Hutchinson. With the success of his own shop, Mike later expanded into St. Cloud. In 2007 Mike and Kathy decided to make a permanent move to their home in Akeley, where they opened North Country Radiator and Air Conditioning. Mike’s time with Kathy was shortened with Kathy’s passing in March 2012, following her own courageous battle. He continued to operate his shop and eventually met Judy Karl. The two were united in marriage on October 24, 2015, at Our Lady of the Pines in Nevis, MN. They were able to spend some precious time and memories together before Mike’s passing.
As most people know, Mike was very generous with his time and talents. He was a guy who could build or fix anything that came his way. Mike spent his life working hard and if time permitted, he would playjust as hard. This showed in his love for fishing and hunting, which he didn’t do enough. He looked forward to his annual hunting trip to Wyoming with his friends from Hutchinson. Mike was passionate about ice racing and poured much of his free time into helping other racers with their cars. For the past two years, he’s been an active member of the Akeley Ice Racers. He was also passionate when it came to watching his grandchildren at sporting events. He didn’t miss many games. Mike also liked sightseeing with Judy on their trips which were as close as Duluth and as far as Arizona. Close to home, Mike was very involved with the Akeley Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited, Akeley Lions Club, and on the finance board and the council of Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church. Mike’s spirit and smiles will be missed by all who knew him.
The family that Mike joins again are his parents; Joe and Edna, his wife; Kathy Duclos, one step son; Stacy Karl, numerous aunts and uncles.
Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Judy Duclos of Akeley; sons, Kyle (Jill) Duclos of Walker, and Kelly (Martha) Duclos of Robbinsdale; step children, Kim (Mick) Vredenburg of Dayton, MN, Scott (Jodie) Karl of Akeley, Shawn (Brenda) Karl of Akeley, Jody Karl of Akeley, and Meri Beth (Brett) Karl of Laporte; sisters, Sheila (Doug) Smith of Sioux City, IA, Barb (Tom) Kersting of Litchfield, and Norma (Charlie) Schlumpberger of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren; Chelsea, Jesse, Tyler, Elsa, Henry, and numerous step grandchildren, other relatives, and many friends.
