A growing family

Mike started his own construction business and Jill continued to work as a nurse at the hospital. She spent a lot of time in her church, a devotion that she picked up since childhood. They lived in an impressive home that Mike built in Woodland Park, which also housed his trophies from his many hunting trips. Then in 1994, Tanner was born. Four years later, Jacob came along.

Mike and his buddies

Mike was a passionate hunter and a highly skilled outdoorsman. One of his friends, Mark Horvat, praised Mike’s skills in the backcountry and thought that he was one of the best hunters he had ever seen. Mike and Mark were partners in renting a ranch near Punkin Center and they went on many hunting trips in places like Alaska.