Michael Kale Wetherell(Mike) passed away on January 31st following complications from a stroke that he had suffered 11 years ago. He was born on 8/20/1937 to Maxine and Robert Wetherell while they resided in Mexico, Missouri. He was the youngest of four boys (brothers Robert, Thomas, and David). At a young age his family moved to Bozeman where he attended grade school, high school, and college. He was an excellent writer & worked on the student newspaper in his time at college. He earned a business degree from Bozeman and moved to Seattle to work as a real estate appraiser for FHA. Mike chafed at office work and eventually moved back to Montana to drive a truck. Owning and operating a small trucking company was a passion for Mike, he took great pride in having the cleanest trucks on the road and successfully operated his trucking company from 1966 until the time of his stroke in 2007.
While trucking was both a hobby and a job for Mike he still cultivated several outside interests that included skiing, riding motorcycles, and classic cars. Mike grew up skiing at Bridger Bowl and continued to enjoy skiing all over the state with his family as he aged. Another early life interest was riding off-road motorcycles. He spent countless hours travelling the back country on motorcycles with friends and family. Mike was very proud of his cars and trucks, his 1940 Ford Coupe was the subject of an article in Hot Rod magazine and he often talked about mounting a receiver hitch to a Porsche in order to pull his motorcycle trailer. His hobbies & work resulted in a large circle of friends both near & far that he was very proud to have.
Mike married Sally (Rauser) on 12/28/1973 and had two children, Kale (Sharlene) Helena, MT and Carrie Hogan (Kip) Nairobi, Kenya. Mike took great pride in being a great provider for his family. He was a devoted father and contrary to popular opinion was not as strict as he portrayed himself. He provided strong guidance as the patriarch of the family and will be sorely missed.
A few sayings that stick out that dad stated a lot were….EVERY time you would ask him how his day was in the truck, he would say ”Everything just clicked today,” it was a great day. And of course….”Keep on truckin”
Mike was preceded in death by his parent and brothers. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren- Connor, Lauren, Jack, Sam, Ben & Charlotte.
Our family would like to thank not only our friends & family that have supported us the 4 years that dad was at Apple Cooney Rehab but also the staff there & the St. Peter’s Hospice staff. We feel blessed that dad is finally at peace & free of the body he had been trapped in for the past 11 years.
A celebration of his life will take place 2:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 10th at Yatson Restaurant, 22 W Main St in East Helena. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Mike’s name be made to the Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Mike.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday February 10, 2019
Yatsons Restaurant
22 W Main St
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday February 10, 2019
Yatsons Restaurant
22 W Main St
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Rich, susan & john proul says
Sally and family…,we are so very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. It’s been a long journey for your family and we’re praying that you all are finally peace. Heaven has received one of the best. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. May Mike rest in eternal peace.
Thomas Juhl says
Sally so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing, he what’s a great friend who will be missed. I’ll always remember our Friday Nite Supper Club……..R.I.P. my friend….
Kori R. Dee says
Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Your guardian angel has just moved locations – from this earthly life to one in heaven – free from any physical restrictions – to continue his loving, caring and guiding ways. Peace to all of you.
Karen Bryson says
Sally and family,
I know it’s been a long difficult journey. May happy memories bring a smile to you in this difficult time. Thoughts and prayers to you.
Rob Creel says
Sorry to hear this Sally & family! RIP Mike.
Gene and Pat Franks says
Sally and Kids,
Gene and I have great memories of Mike, a lot that make us chuckle! You all have had a rough journey since his stroke but your care and love for Mike was outstanding! Enjoy the good memories-“keep on trucking”. He was so proud of all of you! God’s Blessing on all of You.
KEVIN COLLINS says
Sally and family, I am sorry to learn about the passing of Mike, I still remember when Mike an I met and the kindness he left on me!!! It was at his new truck shop next to HSG and Top Job just finished the K/W on the shop floor, Clean trucks and Great smile! Rest in peace Mike.
wayne kovick says
SALLY,I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MIKE WAS A GREAT GUY. HIS OFFICE WAS NEXT TO MINE FOR SOME YEARS. I NEVER SAW MIKE WITHOUT A SMILE AND A KIND WORD. HE MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. RIP MIKE.
John & Cherie Dahl says
So sorry for your loss Sally and family. Was a friend for many years I worked at GVW of the Highway Dept and licensed Mike’s truck. Probably the nicest of all the truckers I dealt with. All around good guy that will be missed 🙏🙏🙏
Rick O’Connell says
Sally. Sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rick and Jan
Diane Macaraeg Langenfus says
Sally and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. My thoughts go out to your whole family. May he rest in peace.
James says
My deepest sympathy for your loss. May your memories of Mike continually lift your spirits. May you also remember the promises of our Heavenly Father Jehovah. He will swallow up death forever and soon end all our suffering. (Rev. 21:3-5; Isa. 25:8) May His promises be a soothing balm for your grieving hearts.
Arlene Hamilton says
Sally and kids,
I was sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I knew him thru my Dad, Don Hulett. Dad and Mike had some great times together, and Dad always spoke very fondly of Mike. I know the last 11 years were hard. I hope Dad and Mike have met up and are once again shifting gears and swapping stories about trucks, cars, and adventures.
Arlene (Hulett) Hamilton
Sally Russell says
Sally and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Mike is now at peace. I will always treasure the days we all spent together when the kids were little. We
all had such a great time and friendship. The last 11 years had been a tough road no doubt but know now he is walking into the arms
of our Lord. I am sorry I will be out of state so unable to offer my support but know I will be there in spirit. My thoughts and prayers are
with all of you, now, and the days ahead. God bless.
Love to all, Sally Russell
Gail Mann says
Sally and family. So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He always took the time for a chat when he came by my office. He was also a great mentor when I first started my career in the mortgage business. May you find great comfort in the following days
Jackie MacDonald says
So Sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with Mike when he came into the bank. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May he rest in peace. God Bless. Jackie MacDonald
John & Bonnie Finstad says
Dear Sally and Family, We are sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. He is finally not struggling and our prayers are for God’s comfort for all of you. We know he will be greatly missed.
Chris Mockel says
Dear Sally,
Kasey & I share our condolences with you and your family. We celebrate Mike’s life and the blessings that were result of his being here. God bless and may peace be with you!
Casey Robinson Biggers says
Sally – So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing! Your family is a large part of my growing up on Cloverview!! I chuckled at the “cleanest trucks” because I vividly remember that shiny black truck! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ron & Carole Robinson says
Sally, Kale & Carrie, Our condolences, but we know Mike is in a much better place. I chose to remember him as he was the last time we drank a beer sitting on the curb. He was a joy, a friend and a positive influence on us all. We cannot be there, but with you in spirit.
Becky Dodge says
Dear Sally, Kale and Carrie- I am so sorry to hear about Mike. I hope your family is at peace knowing he is in a better place. I have a lot of childhood memories of him growing up…aren’t all dads strict??? Haha. He was such a hard worker and an all-around stand-up guy. He always did the right thing. And he will be missed. I hope you can celebrate his life today and keep your own memories of him close to your heart. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Cynthia Gustafson says
Dear Sally and family – we think about you and Mike as our great neighbors on Good Shepherd Court and the times we have shared with all of you – Kale and family and Carrie and family. We send our love and prayers as you celebrate Mike’s life and his gifts and talents that he shared freely to others. Blessings on those memories.
With love and prayers – Cynthia and Loren Gustafson
Ted and Michelle says
Dear Sally, Kale and Carrie,
We just heard of Mike’s passing and are saddened by the news. We know Mike was, at times, looking forward to his next adventure, and we hope it comes without the pain and suffering he experienced in recent years. We also know Mike will return to you in memories and stories, full of life and health, humor and inspiration. He will be remembered by many in these ways, and we will carry him with us. Thinking of you, Ted and Michelle