Mike Bachmeier

Mike Bachmeier, 84 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Lakota Good Samaritan Center with loving family at his side.

Mike was born in Orrin ND on March 27, 1935 one of 16 children born to Milton and Anne (Kraft) Bachmeier. He started school speaking only German but quickly learned English and continued his education in the Orrin ND area.  At a young age, Mike moved with the family to New Rockford ND.  As was the custom for large families, Mike worked on the family farm and for others to help support the family. 

Mike was united in marriage to Doris Krogfoss on December 20, 1954 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michael ND. For over 66 years, they always knew what each one was doing, where they were at and what were the plans for the day.  Mike worked as a mason, brick layer and also as a truck driver on road construction in a variety of places including Montana, Washington and North Dakota. 

When the family returned to ND they made their home in Crary for several years and then moved to Devils Lake. For over 20 years, Mike owned and operated Mike’s Auto Sales until just several months ago when deteriorating health forced him to retire. 

Mike was a perfectionist in everything he did. As a mason and when it came to vehicles.  He could tell a good engine from a bad engine just by the sound. He never bought a car that needed a new engine before it could be sold.  He restored many classic cars for himself and others and kept his last restoration a 1971 Ford Mustang.  Yes it was a Ford, Mike was a “Ford Man”.  He was a strong supporter of Devils Run since its inception 28 years ago.  He never missed breakfast with the guys at Mr. and Mrs. J’s and the hottest topic was always “cars”. 

Mike was devoted to his family, had a strong faith, cared deeply about his friends and loved his cars. He felt so very blessed to have the love and support of his dear Doris for all their years together and his children and grandchildren meant the world to him.  He treasured having the love of support of his large extended family and sharing many family get-togethers with them.

Mike will be so very missed by his wife Doris; children Jean (Joe) Bjerke, St. Cloud MN, John “Jack” Bachmeier, Devils Lake, Thelma Bachmeier, Devils Lake, Rodney Bachmeier, Uehling NE, Cindy (Keith) Borgeson, Manvil ND and Monica Bachmeier, Minot ND; 19 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; siblings Mary (Leo) Volk, Adam Bachmeier, Judy (Rudy) Tollefson, Alice Winnegee, Paul (Lois) Bachmeier, Rick (Lisa) Bachmeier and Patricia Skadsem all of Devils Lake, Rose (Clarence) Harrison, Coinjock NC, Beatrice Christianson, Wadena MN and Sharon (Ross) Mannie, Kansas; in-laws Avis Peterson, California, Charlotte Green, Colorado, Karl (Nettie) Krogfoss, Starkweather ND and Martin Krogfoss, Utah; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; children Michele “Shelly” Danae Bachmeier, Joseph Bachmeier and Rebecca Bachmeier, great grandchild Brittany Ascheman, brothers Pete, Frank, and Patrick in infancy Bachmeier, sisters Betty Christianson and Irene Bjerke and father-in-law and mother-in-law Charlie and Thelma Krogfoss.

Funeral Services are pending due to the pandemic virus restrictions.