Michael Frank Diem

Michael Frank Diem Age 58 of Stillwater, MN 11/19/58 – 12/5/16 This is Beth, Mike’s wife. I’m writing this as Mike looks on; with Mike remembering and explaining as I try to put Mike’s words into sentences. We are sad about writing this, as we have been holding off and trying to live a ‘better than normal’ life (as Mike says) for the past few years. Mike is dying from Stage 4 colon cancer, metastasized to the abdominal cavity. After surgery and diagnosis as Stage 1 or 2 cancer in early 2012, the diagnosis was confirmed as Stage 4 in 2013. (Mike) I was born in Madison, Wisconsin on November 19th, 1958. I grew up near the Lake Michigan waterfront in Racine, Wisconsin and graduated from J. I. Case High School, class of 1976. I attended the U of MN-Minneapolis’ Institute of Technology School of Architecture from 1977-1982; graduating in 1982 with a B. Arch. (Professional degree in Architecture). I became a licensed MN architect in 1984. I married Beth, the love of my life, in 1986. I knew it was fate when we met at the U of MN Architecture program years earlier. We started our married life living in an historic building I was renovating on Park Avenue while we both worked as architects in Minneapolis. I took flying lessons at Faribault Municipal airport in my 1946 Cessna and became a licensed pilot in 1988. We moved to the South Hill neighborhood of Stillwater to raise our children, (Mick born 1988 and Haley born 1991). Places also hold memories—memories of living on Triangle Park: watching the kids ice-skate, Mick’s mid-winter birthdays, flowering crab trees, Haley selling lemonade and her end of the summer birthdays, the front porch at Halloween, and neighborhood gatherings. Our South Broadway house grows with building additions as our kids grow. In my professional life, I started the commercial architecture firm ARCHNET in 1992 and eventually became licensed in 49 states (not Alaska). This was a way to combine my love of flying with my profession; based at Lake Elmo Airport and flying the Commander to building projects in other states. In 2005, we built a house near Square Lake, where I planted a forest and had Vincit Omnia Veritas, (Truth Conquers All), engraved on the fireplace mantle in the library. In 2007, ARCHNET moved to its current location on North Main Street in Stillwater. In early 2014, we added the ARCHNET West office in Sedona, Arizona--where I was happy to take off from the Sedona Airport plateau and fly my Cessna through the red rock country. I was preceded in death by my dad, Frank Diem. I am survived by my wife and life partner Beth and our two remarkable adult children, Mick (wife Alyssa) and Haley Diem, both residing in Minneapolis. I am also survived by my loving mom, Laverne Fawcett (husband Bill), and my brothers Kelly Diem and Jim Diem (wife Rena). —And many loved uncles, aunts, in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues. Instead of flowers, please donate a book to your local library in my memory. I have always loved to read. I prefer non-fiction in general: biographies, history and geography/maps. A few of my favorite authors are Ernest Gann, Walter Isaacson, and Bill Bryson. Beth, Mick and Haley—I am proud of you. I want to live; I love life and there is so much more to do. Love, Mike/Dad Mike said goodbye on December 5, 2016, but Mike’s story continues. Once upon a time there was a person who was enthusiastic about learning and life. This person was funny, and loved many things—his family, flying airplanes, his business, and all possibilities; and he shared this happiness. This person was honest, had talent, got right to the point, and was someone who made things happen. He was impatient but kind and lived the depth of life with strong positive energy. This person, Mike Diem, made a difference in other people's lives every day. Mark Twain wrote “Humor is the great thing, the saving thing after all. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations, and resentments flit away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.” And Mike’s intelligent sense of humor was the saving thing after all. Over the years, with all the ups, downs, changes, and tragedy in our lives, Mike made us laugh. We would like to thank family, friends, and colleagues for their support. We would also like to thank the healthcare professionals: Dr. Albers and team at Mayo Rochester, Dr. Jahagirdar and the hospice team at Lakeview hospital, and a special thank you to Dr. Tuttle and his team at the U of MN Hospital for taking a chance on Mike at the 11th hour and extending his life by 1 ½ years. Mike’s ashes will be buried at Fairview Cemetery, near the South Hill of Stillwater (close to our children’s former elementary school) at a date to be announced. We also have an engraved brick paver at Pioneer Park in Stillwater that reads: Mike and Beth, in love 2016, married 1986. At Mike’s request, there will not be a traditional memorial service. A ‘missing man’ flyby in memory of Mike will fly over the Square Lake area, also on a date to be announced. In a missing man formation, two pair of aircraft fly in a V-shape with one pair on the left and the second pair to the right. The formation flies low over the area (Square Lake) and the second leader pulls up out of the formation. The aircraft performing the split off, or missing from the formation, is honoring the pilot who has died, representing his departure.

Service Information

Cemetery

Fairview Cemetery
6373 Osgood Avenue North
Stillwater MN 55082