Michael "Mike" Gant

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as
real strength.(Saint Francis de Salas)

Mike Gant, age 58, of Mobridge, South Dakota, formerly of Hawarden, Iowa, died unexpectedly Monday, November 24, 2014. He was employed by the Mobridge-Pollok School District. Memorial services will be 10:30am Saturday, December 20 at St. Mary’s, Catholic Church in Hawarden, with the Rev. Doug Klein officiating. Visitation will be noon to 7:00pm on Friday, December 19, at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. A Celebration of Life with a luncheon will follow Saturday’s services. Memorial service in Mobridge and burial will be at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.
Mike was born March 5, 1956, in Akron, Iowa. He was the fourth born child of Beulah and Bill Gant’s five children. He graduated from West Sioux High School in Hawarden in 1974 where he played football, baseball and was a wrestler. He grew up with his 4 sisters on a farm in McNally, Iowa and spent summers in Ireton, Iowa playing baseball.
After traveling and working “out west”; Mike worked road construction and then worked at L.G. Everest in Hawarden; was employed by Monsanto as a field scientist to determine compliance with EPA regulations in Iowa, Kentucky and Virginia testing the effects of pesticides and herbicides; and worked a friend’s farm in Iowa during planting and harvesting season.
Mike was an accomplished carpenter-self employed home builder in northwest Iowa, until he moved to Mobridge in August 2010 to live his dream of having ready access to the Missouri River to fish walleye.
As a young boy Mike’s grandfather introduced him to fishing. Mike loved to fish. He fished throughout his life with his extended family of fishing “brothers” and often provided friends and family with his catch. He always said he was closest to his GOD when on the water. Mike was an outdoorsman where he not only fished but also hunted pheasant and enjoyed hunting deer with a bow. He often spoke of the beauty of the South Dakota plains and was most comfortable in rural open spaces when with the quiet of nature.
Mike was a good cook and well known for his home-cooking especially his fish fry, grilled/smoked fish and meats and his hearty breakfasts that he enjoyed cooking for family or friends. He was an avid reader with special interests in American West history, Native American culture and geology; enjoyed vegetable gardening; and playing his juice harp or harmonica with Bluegrass or the Blues; playing slow-pitch softball; throwing darts and all spectator sports particularly baseball. He won tournaments playing foosball, pool, darts, and fishing.
Mike had a strong sense of community and deeply loved his family. He could most simply be described as a “good guy” who was caring, gentle, personable, friendly and witty. He was a beloved brother, uncle, granduncle, nephew, cousin and friend to many of all ages.
He is survived by his sisters: Sue Gant (Yackel) and husband Ron of Hawarden and US Virgin Islands; Mary Landau and husband Gary of DeWitt, Iowa; Jean Ellis and husband Dan of Sioux Center, Iowa; Pat Gorton and husband Ralph of Naples, Florida; Three nieces and four nephews, and three grand nieces and three grand nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Honorary Pallbearers are Darwin Dixon, Stuart Hendricks, Duane Meyers, Jerry McPherson, Pat Ludwig, Al Mace, Jeff Kemnitz, and Doug Bryson.