Michael “Mike” Fondie, 63, of Hazen, ND died Sunday, July 24, 2016 at Sakakawea Medical Center, Hazen. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 PM CDT on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Chapel, Aurora, MN. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Aurora. A celebration of life gathering will be held at 1:00 PM CDT on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Riverside Park, Hazen.

Mike was born on April 9, 1953 in Virginia, MN to Stanley and Patricia (Drama) Fondie. He was raised and educated in Aurora and graduated from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School in 1971. Mike entered the U.S. Army in 1971 and served in Germany and Athens, Greece. Following his time in the service he worked for US Steel from 1973-1985. Mike married Diane Ruotsalainen in April 1976 and the couple was married for 40 years. Mike also worked part time for St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Biwabik Police Department from 1977-1985. Mike and Diane moved to Hazen, ND in 1985 and he was employed with the Hazen Police Department until 2001. He later worked for Dyncorps as a UN Peacekeeping mission officer and for one year in East Timor, Indonesia where he taught this new nation’s police officers. Mike also worked for MCSO until 2005 and decided to do another contract for one year in Iraq training police officers. From 2011 to 2014 Mike worked for the Mercer County Landfill before retiring.

Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing, his dogs and teaching and sharing his knowledge. He especially loved his grandchildren, Noah and Olivia.

He is survived by his wife, Diane of Hazen; one daughter, April (Brian) Sutlief of Albertville, MN; one son, Thomas (Dara Mathias) of Hazen; two grandchildren; his mother, Patricia (Leo) Svir; one brother, Russell (Jennifer) Fondie of Little Fork, MN; two sisters, Jeanne (Gary) Starker and Judy Vreeland both of Aurora; 21 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Stanley and his nephew Cody Vreeland.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen and Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Chapel, Aurora, MN.

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