Michael Joseph Rearden

Michael J. Rearden, husband, father, Irishman, scotch drinker, and off-the-beaten-path pilot flew home to heaven on July 14, 2018, after 67 years of shenanigans, laughter, and love. Upon his departure, he left behind his devoted wife, Mary of 46 years; their five children, Dan (Aubrey) Rearden, Ryan Rearden, Meghan Rearden, Sean Rearden, and Kelly (Tyler) Smith; six grandchildren, Kathryn, Clare, Lily, Kaitlyn, Parker, and Matilda; four siblings, Susy (Jim) Baroch, Robert (Mary), Patrick (Mary Anne), and Mary Jo Steyee; aunts Pattie Coolidge and Barb McNaught; and numerous nieces and nephews. He tossed the baggage of Alzheimer's right out the window as he shouted CLEAR before taking flight. Joining him on this next adventure will be all of his best memories - of falling in love with his beautiful wife, of his year abroad in Salzburg, Austria, of water-skiing at Seeley Lake, of holding his children, and of making his grandchildren laugh. He will be welcomed by his parents Don and Betty Rearden and a glass of Paddy’s Irish Whiskey. Mike attended St. Gerard’s school, Great Falls Central High School (Class of ’68), and the University of Portland (Class of ’72) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He was an active member of the Great Falls International Airport Authority, the Montana Pilots Association, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Spirit parishes. He dedicated 43 years of his life to the family business, Glacier State Electric Supply, Inc., where he retired as president in 2015. His legacy was in the way he made people feel, the way he took care of friends, the way he looked at his children with tears of pride, and his unending love of the cabin. He was always the last person to leave a gathering and never the first to arrive. His last flight has taken him from us, but we all know that pilots never die, they just fly away. He’ll be waving his wings from above as he always has to those he loves. Join us in celebration of a life well-lived with a vigil service Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. and the funeral liturgy Friday, July 20, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., both at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Schnider Funeral is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Hilarity for Charity, Peace Hospice, or the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Great Falls Chapter.