Mike Ewoldsen

Michael Ewoldsen, Sr., 76, of Winterset, died Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. A memorial visitation with the family present to receive friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 2, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation and online condolences can be left at ochiltree.com. Michael Ross Ewoldsen, the son of Herbert and Kathryn (Brim) Ewoldsen, was born July 28, 1941, in Osceola. He was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Tech High School in Des Moines. At Tech, Mike learned the printing trade. His marriage to Louetta Thomas took place on February 12, 1960, in Des Moines. Mike worked with Jacobson Lynotype for several years before moving to Winterset in 1972 to become a farmer. He farmed until 1987 when he began working for SuperValu in Des Moines. After his retirement from SuperValu, Mike needed to keep busy so he turned his skills as a woodworker into Grandpa’s Workshop. He loved his retirement career meeting folks who would stop by his shop at his farm and he also loved to help his grandchildren make things in his shop under his supervision. Mike was a member of the Des Moines Printers Union and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. He loved to fish, especially with his brother, John, and he also loved attending the races in Knoxville. He enjoyed traveling, going on cruises and one of his favorite things to do in retirement was to take trips to see the sites around Iowa. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who never missed attending any events his family participated in, especially sporting activities. Mike is survived by his wife of 57 years, Louetta Ewoldsen of Winterset; three children, Sally Thompson of Indianola, Mike (Darla) Ewoldsen, Jr. of Excelsior Springs, MO, Kevin Ewoldsen of Winterset; siblings, Andra Huff of Hiawatha, John (Linda) Ewoldsen of Windsor Heights; eight grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Carter Huff.