Michael Buchanan

Michael Thomas Buchanan, age 65, passed away, peacefully on June 3, 2020, in the Veterans Community Living Center in Fargo, ND.  A private family service will be held.  Condolence cards may be sent to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Wahpeton, ND 58074. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home.

Michael was born November 1, 1954, as the first (and only) son of Dean and Lucillia Buchanan at Wesley Hospital in Wadena, MN.

Mike would get the joy of traveling the world with his parents while his dad was in the military. They would venture to Japan, where Mike would become a big brother to two sisters. Then it was California, where he gained another sister.  Then off to Duluth to watch the ships, where the family then settled in the Deer Creek area, where Mike would become a big brother to one more sister.

He attended Deer Creek School and spent time in the US Army before showing off his skills as a crane operator in a scrapyard in the state of Washington, eventually running scrap with his dad, Dean - a job they bonded over doing together. Mike also shared another talent with his community, when he went to work with his mom, at Lucy’s Cafe as a cook and the expert soup maker.

Mike’s love and loyalty for others would lead him to Vining and eventually a bit of mischief. After some hard-taught life lessons, Mike would be led back home to live with his mother for some time before she moved into assisted living. Mike eventually moved to North Dakota to be closer to his mom.

Mike was married 3 too many times but was fortunate enough to become a dad to 5.

Mike was a top-notch mechanic who loved to tinker on his Harley trike. He enjoyed sharing his hobby of the Harley with others - including taking his 70-year-old grandmother on rides.

“Ain’t here for a long time, just here for a good time” was how Mike lived his life. He enjoyed bullsh*tting with anyone and everyone, cracking jokes, and canning salsa, and making jelly with his mom and sisters.

Mike is survived by his mom, Lucillia; as well his daughter, Shannon; and sons, Mike, Ryan, and Christopher; his sisters, Pam, Vicky, Sandy, and Brenda; and a slew of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his dad, Dean; and infant daughter, Nicole; as well as his grandparents, Clara and Dell Buchanan and Evelyn and Thomas Marsh; and nephew, Jesse McManigle.