Michael L. Dougherty

Michael Lee Dougherty, son of Kenneth and Marilynn (Van Dyke) Dougherty, was born June 25, 1952 in Hull, Iowa. He resided in Sheldon, Iowa, with his parents, and older sister Patricia, until the age of 2, when the family moved to Glenwood, Minnesota. Later, little sister Dixie was added to the family unit. Michael was baptized in a Methodist Church in Iowa, and was confirmed in the Methodist Church in Glenwood, MN. Michael attended Elementary School in Glenwood, and later graduated from the Glenwood High School in 1970. Michael attended St. Cloud State for a time, and then had traveled across of much of the US, having various adventures, even working with his buddies, at a dog racetrack in Florida, before deciding to return to Glenwood. Michael had lived his life to the fullest, during his youth.

He met and married Melanie Mathre on May 5, 1978, and to that union came Luke, Sam, and Meagan Dougherty. They divorced in 1987. Later, Michael graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 1992, with a double major in Sociology and Human Services.

Michael held various employments throughout his life which include, retail sales management, self-employed construction business owner, Mental Health Practitioner for a Daytreatment Program in Willmar, MN, a Social Worker for Pope County Family Services, and lastly as a Mental Health Practitioner at the Minnewaska Area Daytreatment in Starbuck, MN. He worked a total of 15 years as a Mental Health Practitioner or Social Worker. Michael retired from the Minnewaska Area School District in 2016.

Michael met his much younger present wife Denise (Gades) Dougherty, of whom he states “is the love of his life, best friend, and advocate,” while she was working as a Guardian Ad Litem on some of his county cases, and also when she herself became a Social Worker at Pope County Family Services. Michael also asked Denise what she wanted in life and where she wanted to live. He bought the perfect lake lot shortly thereafter, designed, and built their dream home on Pelican Lake, with the help of family and friends. After 5 years of living together, Denise finally agreed to marry Michael. Michael and Denise were married on the beach in a beautiful barefoot, easy breezy, simple, private ceremony in Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo Mexico, February 10, 2005, just the way Denise wanted it to be, and then were married again March 11, 2005 in the US by the Honorable Judge Jon Stafsholt, at the Pope County Courthouse, just to make sure the marriage was legal in both countries. To that union, came Austin and Hunter Dougherty.

Michael enjoyed many activities that included spending time with his kids, grandkids, and family. He loved to build things, woodworking projects, working in the yard, time on the lake, and all outdoor activities, except during winter.

Michael loved to travel in the US, but especially to other countries. Michael and Denise traveled to Mexico at least 16 times to numerous destinations there but primarily to celebrate their yearly anniversary in Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo, where he figured he could count the trip as both the annual Anniversary and Valentine’s Day gifts. They also traveled to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic 3 times, and to Costa Rica. Michael also says he briefly traveled to Canada, but to ask Denise why it was so brief.

Michael passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at home, per his wishes, on Friday, July 12, 2024 at the age of 72. His first doctoring began in October 2023, and then he was formally diagnosed November, 14, 2023 with a Stage 4 very aggressive terminal cancer and after valiantly fighting a 9 month battle, ultimately lost his life. He was able to say and do what he needed to do, with all of his children, grandchildren, and other family members, before his passing.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris, MN, with visitation one hour prior. A lunch reception will immediately follow the funeral service. 

Michael is survived by his wife: Denise Dougherty of Glenwood; 5 children: Luke (Lisa) Dougherty of Duluth, Sam (Nicole) Dougherty of Duluth, Meagan (Justin) Paumen of Alexandria, Austin Dougherty of Chicago, IL, and Hunter (Justina) Dougherty of Fargo, ND; 7 grandchildren: Amelia Dougherty, Max Dougherty, Alena Dougherty, and Nora Dougherty; Braelyn Paumen, Chase Paumen; and Rowan Dougherty; 2 sisters: Patricia (Jim) Ficke, and Dixie (Ken) Wersinger; and Step-Mother Orlean Dougherty.

Michael was preceded in death by his: mother-in-law Elda Gades, parents, Ken Dougherty and Marilynn Torrens, and Step-Father, Charles Torrens.