The Rev. Michael James Fox, 61, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis, died suddenly at his home in Sturgis Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011.

He was born January 27, 1950, in St. Paul, Minn., to James and Pauline (Lindstrom) Fox. He was baptized into Christ March 5, 1950, and confirmed his faith April 19, 1964, at Concordia Lutheran Church in South St. Paul, Minn.

While in confirmation class, at age 12, Michael felt the call to serve God as a pastor. He was ordained as a pastor August 28, 1977, at his home congregation, Concordia Lutheran Church in South St. Paul. He served God for 34 years as a Lutheran pastor and dearly loved parish ministry.

He graduated from Concordia Academy in St. Paul in 1968; Concordia College in St. Paul in 1970; and Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1972. He later attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., and graduated from Concordia Seminary in Exile in St. Louis in 1976.

He served as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Hardwick, Minn., and St. John's Lutheran Church, Trosky, Minn., 1977-1981; St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Winona, Minn., 1981-1990; Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church, Ham Lake, Minn., 1990-1993; Trinity Lutheran Church, Waconia, Minn., 1993-1997; Baltic Lutheran Church, Baltic, S.D., and East Nidaros Lutheran Church, Baltic, S.D., 2001-2006; and Grace Lutheran Church, Sturgis, S.D., 2006-2011.

He married Diane Wilken June 9, 1973, in Danforth, Ill. They were blessed with two daughters, Jennifer Suzanne, and Stephanie Marie.

He married Susan Villmow Nov. 19, 2005, in Colton, S.D.

He loved to sing and act and was involved in numerous plays and vocal concerts. He was recently involved in the Sturgis Community Theater and Sturgis Community Cantata. He was president of the Sturgis Kiwanis Club. He was also active in the Sturgis Alliance of Churches. He was involved in church leadership beyond the congregation throughout his ministry. He was currently serving as the Dean of the Bear Butte Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

He is survived by his wife, the Rev. Susan Villmow Fox, Sturgis and Buffalo, S.D.; daughters, Jennifer (Ron) Schultz, Winona, Minn., Stephanie (Jesse) Zuerlein, Menomonie, Wis., and Melissa Rieger, Buffalo, S.D.; sons, Scott (Maranda) Pogany, Katterbach, Germany, and Robert (Kim) Rieger, Huron, S.D.; grandchildren, Zachary Schultz, Jayda Zuerlein, Jacob Rieger, and Gabriel Rieger. An additional grandson will be born in October. He is also survived by one brother, Wayne (Linda) Fox, Coon Rapids, Minn.; two sisters, Marlys (Jerome) Gardner, Maplewood, Minn., and Gail (Bruce) Avenson, South St. Paul, Minn.; sister-in-law, Jan Fox, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; aunts and uncles, Lorraine Hayek, Woodbury, Minn., Bev (Howard) Hinseth, Minneapolis, Pearl Ratzloff, Minneapolis, and Robert Campbell, Chandler, Ariz.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents, and one brother, Greg.

Visitation will be Saturday, Sept. 17th from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. A prayer service will be held Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 18, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Revs. Bruce Thalacker and Wilbur Holz officiating. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 20th at 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, Minn.

A memorial has been established.

All clergy are invited to participate in the procession and encouraged to wear white stoles and to gather in the church basement 15 minutes prior to the service on Sunday.

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