Mike Drysdale

Michael Roy Drysdale passed away peacefully on February 12, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones near and far.

Mike was born on September 3, 1949 in Yreka, California, grew up in Fairfield, California, and attended Judson High School in Arizona. He graduated from the University of Colorado - Boulder in 1971. A wide variety of experiences at a young age gave him a nuanced and empathetic perspective about the world, and he accumulated lifetimes of good stories. During the Vietnam War, Mike enlisted in the California National Guard.

After a few years of working in international banking in San Francisco, Mike joined the Peace Corps in 1976. During training in Miami, Florida, Mike offered to carry Rita King’s suitcase in the airport. After a year of dating in Colombia, they returned to Winterset, Iowa to marry on a cold December day. Their 45 years of marriage were a beautiful example of love, friendship, and teamwork, and their joyful partnership was an inspiration to many.

After Colombia, they embraced their sense of adventure while living in California, Kansas, Washington, Idaho, and Utah. They welcomed three sons; Andrew, Kyle, and Ryan. Mike cherished his sons. He was a gentle father who enthusiastically encouraged each of them to nurture and pursue their own unique paths and passions. He was a lifelong athlete and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren at cross country meets, dirt bike races, soccer matches, RC car races, golfing, fishing, reading, and camping. He was always up to attend a ballgame, and his family appreciated his adept ability to plan summer vacations.

In 1993, the family planted their roots in Winterset, Iowa, where Rita grew up. Mike was devoted to his family and community. He volunteered as a youth sports coach and coached the inaugural Winterset High School soccer team. He served on the board of the Winterset Public Library, taught religious education, held a stint as the sports reporter for the Madisonian, and spent his retirement working for St. Joseph Catholic Church. For ten years he supported Rita as they ran Espresso Yourself, a popular cafe on the town square. Throughout Mike’s career, he traveled extensively across the globe to Europe, Asia, and South America always returning with stories for his children. He and Rita enjoyed traveling together throughout the US, South America, and Europe.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to know Mike will remember his kindness, curiosity, humility, and groundedness. Even when he was sick at the end of his life, his spirit shined — learning and remembering the names of every member of his hospital care team, expressing gratitude, making people laugh, and showing compassion and concern for his family.

Mike is survived by his wife, Rita; sons, Andrew, Kyle, and Ryan; grandchildren, Nathan, Jack, Elliot, and Scout Drysdale; daughters-in-law, Megan Drysdale and Katherine Eklund; siblings and their spouses, Madeline and Roger Downie, Don and Liz Drysdale, and Joe Drysdale; and a large network of family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Don Drysdale, Joan (Drysdale) Freudenberg, and Herman Freudenberg; and niece Reagan Downie.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 19, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winterset. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial to follow at the St. Patrick’s Irish Settlement Cemetery, near Cumming. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mike’s honor can be made to the Winterset Knights of Columbus, Winterset Community Education Foundation, and Community Resources in Service to People (C.R.I.S.P.).