Jon Michael “Mike” Fife, age 80, passed away at his home in Helena, MT, on September 9, 2019. Mike was the first child born to Lyndon and Margaret “Me Me” (Precht) Fife in Payette, ID, on May 27, 1939. Later he was joined by siblings: David Fife (Payette, ID), Richard (Rick) Fife (Vale, OR) and Lyda (Brian Stauff, Eagle, ID).
Mike graduated from Payette High School in 1957 and attended Boise Junior College. He worked weekends at his family’s business, Quality Foods, in Payette. In 1962, Mike married Judy Widener Baker in Winnemucca, Nevada. Their family included three children: Julie Selves (Atmaulauk, AK), Tamara Fife (Rob Conti, Puyallup, WA), Jon M. Fife II (Jerie, Vale, OR).
In December 1964, Mike was driving a Coca Cola delivery truck on a steep Idaho mountain road and was hit by a semi-truck. He suffered severe injuries from the accident that impacted him the rest of his life, but you wouldn’t have known it, as he never complained or used it as an excuse to not be active his whole life.
Mike and Judy later divorced and he moved to Montana for his work. In 1971 Mike married Franci Taylor. Their family included two children: Kalli (Kelly Horne, Jefferson City, MT) and Shawn Fife (Helena, MT). Mike and Franci later divorced, and he remained in Helena, MT.
Mike worked for Elk River Concrete in Helena, until he retired. He was an avid outdoorsman in every season and participated highly in land and animal conservation. Mike enjoyed spending time with the crew at Capital Sports reminiscing, telling stories and finding out what was working in the field. He loved hunting, fly fishing and everything about the outdoors. Mike knew every detail about rivers, lakes, trails, rocks, birds, berries, wildflowers, guns, and knives and shared his knowledge with anyone that would listen.
Mike was a yearly season pass holder to the Great Divide Ski Company, a member of the Black Powder Rifle Association, the Prickly Pear Shooting Association, the Helena Mineral Society, and a lifetime member of the NRA and Trout Unlimited. Mike was a hiker, telemark skier, kayaker, and mountain biker well into his retirement years, usually accompanied by his best friend and companion Molly the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. He truly loved everything about the outdoors, and when the sun went down he spent hours reading his outdoor books and magazines, and enjoyed more time with his precious Molly, that preceded him about 18 months ago. He had a heart to help others and was a continuous giver to many charities of all kinds of needs, from the military to animals.
Mike had the best attitude and sense of humor through all of the hard stuff he was facing, and he made us and the Dr’s and nurses laugh continuously. Mike was a giving father, a loving grandfather and a friend to everyone he met. Mike also enjoyed memorable time with his closest friends Joyce, Dan, Jean, Elli, Will and many others in the audience of Mother Nature.
He is survived by his children, siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a niece and two nephews, and his numerous friends. Mike was one of a kind and truly will be missed by all.
A service celebrating Mike’s Life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 27th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Potluck Reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Mike.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 27, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday September 27, 2019
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 27, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday September 27, 2019
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Tina says
My condolences to your beautiful family. Mike was a great friend to my dad. When I was growing up I remember many visits at Mike’s house. He was so kind and not one to leave a kid out of a conversation. I loved his laugh and warm smile. His son Shawn became like a brother to me. When I was in high school Mike found out a couple of my girl friends from Helena high and I were going to be trappers in the Vigilante Parade. He was so excited for us he let us use ALL of his trapping gear. He didn’t leave out a single garment. I wore his moccasins the entire 3 miles while pulling a mule… He got a laugh from all of the blisters I acquired from that trip. That was when he informed me I should’ve chosen a different shoe option. Lol With his help we won 3rd place!
Mike worked for my grandpa Sunny at Elk RIver Concrete. I spent almost every weekend with my grandparents and when my grandpa Sunny got home on Friday he was always happy and had a great story to tell about Mike. Mike brought my grandpa so much happiness. My grandpa Sunny thought very highly of “Foof”. I spent quite a bit of time growing up at Elk RIver and I would always get excited to see Mike when I was a little girl, he always had the biggest smile on his face and always had the time to say hello to me… just a kid. To see him always smiling at Elk River I’m sure wasn’t easy considering to most people who worked there the job was hell. Most new guys couldn’t make it a week much less into retirement. The work was brutal, cold, dirty and wet in the winter hot and dirty in the summer and not always the most reasonable expectations were put on the guys. I had so much respect for Mike because through it all HE was always smiling through it all.
My heart hurts knowing that he’s no longer with us, I’m so thankful I had the pleasure of knowing him.
Mike, now that you’re up there I hope you and my grandpa are laughing together again. I promise to be more like you when times are tough I’ll just smile.
Until we meet again my friend.
Ellie Arguimbau says
I just heard the sad news about my good friend Mike Fife. I was out of town for 2 weeks and just got back this morning. Mike was a wonderful friend and we along with Joyce Saunders and Gordon Thompson shared many hiking, canoeing and skiing adventures. I am sorry that I was not home in time to attend his services yesterday. Please add my condolences to his family and many friends. Ellie Arguimbau, Kellogg, Idaho.
Ed Beall says
Sorry that I missed Mikes memorial. Mike was truly one of the old cloth hunters and outdoorsmen. I feel fortunate to have known him and visited with him many times over the last who knows how many years. He knew what he was doing and how he was doing it. Right to the final days he wanted to go hunt, go enjoy the outdoors, create another adventure, good day and memory. I have missed Molly blending into our carpet and now I will miss seeing Mike, chatting about a story or talking about a new piece of gear. Happy hunting Mike!