Scottsdale, AZ - Michael Joe Medema passed peacefully on April 18, 2026, at the age of 73, with his family at his side. Born in Florida on April 22, 1952, Mike was living in Scottsdale, Arizona at the time of his death.

Mike was the first-born son of Donald, also known as Red (deceased) and Evelyn (alive and well at age 94). He has two sisters and one brother, all raised in the small town of Albany, Illinois. Mike went to Fulton High School. He excelled in sports and academics,

was offered a scholarship to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering.

Michael had just begun his very successful career in construction in Ohio when his father died unexpectedly in 1975. He moved back to Albany to take over his father's excavating business to help his mother and siblings.

As Mike's career grew, so did his family. His daughter was born while in Illinois and his son was born after he took a job in Oklahoma. The bulk of Michael's construction career was in California first at Edward's Air Force Base, followed by his final employment as an Executive at Rasmussen.

Mike was enjoying his retirement, especially deep-sea fishing in Alaska along with his love of sports (Go Packers!), travel, art, and history. His home was a mini gallery of beautiful treasures that he found on his many travels near and far around the world. Michael, called 'Big Mike' by his friends at Clancy's and generous to his family and his friends. Mike will be greatly missed by his loving family, including his children, mother, siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as the many friends he made throughout his life.

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