Michael J. Giefer

Michael Joseph Giefer (Michael), of Mendota Heights, born on March 11, 1945, passed away at home surrounded by loving family on July 30, 2025, at age 80.

Michael was born in Seattle, where his father was stationed as an Army officer during World War II. The oldest of four, he grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood of Saint Paul.

His father nicknamed him Moony because he would “moon” over little things that made him sad. But he was a happy kid who loved books, fishing, swimming, tennis and sailing at the cabin. In high school, his friend group earned the nickname “The Owls Club” for their late-night poker games. His friends simply called him Chief.

He was a graduate of Cretin High School, the University of Minnesota, and Georgetown University Law Center, earning his JD with honors in 1970. He later attended the University of St.Thomas and became a CPA.

On a spring evening in 1971, Michael met the love of his life when he asked a young woman named Donis Mohrbacher to dance. Married in 1973, they raised four children and shared more than 50 years of love and life together.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Michael took a keen interest in his children’s careers and his grandchildren’s schooling and activities. He had a natural warmth and ease that made everyone who walked through the door feel instantly welcome.

He spent most of his career as a tax and estate attorney, rising to Vice President at Fiduciary Counseling, Inc. (FCI). Michael made many valuable contributions and close friends over his 33 years at FCI. He retired in 2007 at age 62.

Michael’s favorite place was the family cabin on Big Trout Lake in central Minnesota. There, he could be found on boat cruises with the family, watching eagles and great blue herons, walking in the woods, enjoying wild raspberries, and swimming out with the loons—often venturing farther from shore than anyone thought reasonable.

Following in his mother’s footsteps, Michael was an avid birdwatcher, especially in retirement, and was often seen with binoculars, his birding vest, and floppy hat. He was a regular at nature preserves across the Twin Cities and made an annual spring trip to the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas to catch the migration.

Michael was sharp and well-read and, once you got him going, could speak at length on a variety of topics, from string theory to the Minnesota Vikings’ prospects every year. He was looking forward to the coming season with a rookie quarterback at the helm.

A voracious reader and a lifelong student of history and current events, Michael is fondly remembered sitting in his chair nightly, reading the paper, the latest issue of Astronomy magazine, MN Conservationist, or a massive history book (and usually falling fast asleep in that chair).

Michael was a loyal viewer of Almanac and CNBC, where he kept a close eye on Minnesota affairs and the stock market. Always curious about the world, Michael enjoyed travel, good conversation, Charles Schultz Peanuts cartoons, the music of The Beatles, and, yes, ABBA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Janet, and his sister Katie (John Chadwick).

Michael is survived by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Donis; son Paul (Melissa Johnson) and their children, Maya and Molly; son Andy (partner Meggan Ellingboe); daughter Ann Marie (Maureen Arbogast) and their children Cavan and Ryland; son David (Traci); sister Judith Gage (Albert); brother William Giefer (Cindi); and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

His family would like to thank Senior Helpers and Grace Hospice for their professional and compassionate care for Michael.

Visitation (4-6:30 PM) on August 18 at O’Halloran and Murphy Funeral Home (575 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul).

Vistiation (9:30 AM) and Mass of Christian Burial (10:30 AM) on August 19 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church (510 Hall Ave, St. Paul). Interment at St. Peter’s Historic Cemetery in Mendota, with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Carpenter Nature Center, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church or a charity of your choice. Michael would also want you to pour yourself an IPA and raise a glass in celebration of his life.

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