Visitation: Friday, June 13, 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Lands Lutheran Church.
Service: His funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Lands Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD.
Michael Dennis Wood, the son of Frederick J and Twyla “Jeane” (Porter) Wood, was born on May 24, 1962 in Omaha, NE. Following his graduation from Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, SD, Mike furthered his education at South Dakota State University where he met the love of his life and future wife, Jodell “Jodi” Bjerum. Shortly after graduation, with a BS in May 1984, Mike and Jodi were married on May 12, 1984, in Brookings, SD. Mike served his Country for many years with the 14th Infantry Division, 503rd Infantry Brigade, 75th Infantry Regiment. He first enlisted as a Forward Observer in November 1981. In May 1984, Mike was commissioned as a 2LT. He served on active duty until 1987 when he finished his time as the Commander of the C Battery 3/14th Field Artillery Reserve unit in Cherokee, IA in 1992.
Mike and Jodi moved to Hudson, SD in 1989, where they raised their family and served the community. Mike was a long-time employee of Avera Health in Sioux Falls, and was the Capital Buyer at the time of his death. He was on the Hudson Vol Fire and Rescue Department for 20 years, an EMT-I for the Hudson Ambulance and Alcester EMS for 15 years, was a member of the Bergstrom Bodeen American Legion Post 128, and a member of Lands Lutheran Church in rural Hudson.
Mike was an avid ball player, beginning with baseball at age 6, at age 11 he played on the Kansas City All Star Team, and he continued playing softball later in life. He coached baseball and softball in Hudson and Alcester for all four of his children’s teams. Fishing was more than a way of life for him. It was not about the fish he caught but the time he spent fishing. Mike instilled his love of outdoors and water in all 4 of his children and his 11 grandchildren. Mike was known to have reeled in his limit of walleye from shore before anyone in the camper was awake or the first boats were in the water – This was always the rule and not the exception. Mike grew up duck and pheasant hunting, and he continued this with all his children. When the dog was not available, the children were his retrievers. He never spent time on any hobby that was not family friendly.
Mike died on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at the Dougherty Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls following a five year battle with Bladder Cancer.
Mike is survived by his wife Jodi Wood of Hudson; 4 children, Rebecca (Grant) Kooima of Rock Valley, IA, Jennifer (Nathan) Boer Vis of Hudson, Megan (Brett) Blankespoor of Inwood, IA, and Baernt Wood of Hudson; 11 grandchildren, Kaden, Shaylei, Mikayla, Katelyn, Abigail and Lydia Kooima, Ezra, Elijah, Nathaneal and Grace Boer Vis, and Jakson Blankespoor; a sister, Michelle (Robert) Lambert of Yankton, SD; mother-in-law, Kathleen Bjerum of Bemidji, MN; brother-in-law, Michael (Audrey) Bjerum of Mountain Lake, MN; sister-in-law, Debra (Ed) Risberg of Bemidji; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Jeane; and his father-in-law, Douglas “Wayne” Bjerum.
His funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Lands Lutheran Church, rural Hudson. Visitation with family present will be Friday from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Lands Lutheran Church.
Jodi, Becky, Jenni, Megan and Barry and family- My sincere condolences to all of you during this time. God has gained an amazing angel. Mike will be missed by all who knew him, he held a very special place in all of the hearts of his family, friends and neighbors. May our Lord shine his light and his ever lasting love on you during this time.
Jodi and family, You have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband and dad. He was such a cheerful, loving, generous man. Heaven doors opened and another angel is with our Lord, just like when my hubby died a year ago. They are pain free and ringing bells in heaven until we see them again.
In Christian love and prayers,
Ruth Westling-Alcester
Thoughts and prayers with you all at this sad time.
Our deepest condolences to Brett & Megan and the entire family. Our hearts go out to you.
Sincerely,
Everyone at Custom Cut Mfg.
We are deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Mike Wood. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please Accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss……our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss, I worked with Mike for the last 6 years and he was always such a joy to be around. He was the first to share a fun email or story and I will miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with Jodi and all his family and friends. All of us at Sizewise extend our condolences.
My Thoughts and Prayers to Jodi and Family,
Truly my pleasure getting to know Mike over the years working at Avera. Loved his sense of humor and enjoyed talking to him about hunting, fishing, and kids activities. He will be missed tremendously. As a matter of fact, the team misses him already.
Ryan Schaefer
My heartfelt condolences to the Wood family. I worked with Mike at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls. He was always a warm ray of sunshine. He will be missed.
From all the staff at Select Specialty Hospital
We’ll miss Mike very much. He was a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jodi and the rest of the family.
John.