Rush Funeral Home Logo
Logo Image
(605) 859-2400 You can call us 24/7
Newsletter Get new obituaries by email
Search Search through the obituaries

Funeral services will take place on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.



Print Obituary

In memory of

Gene Michael

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 75

Gene G. Michael was born February 26, 1947, to George D. and Emma (Peterson) Michael in Kadoka, South Dakota. Gene was baptized into the Catholic Church. He graduated from Philip High School and then went to work on the family ranch where he resided his entire life.

Gene was united in marriage to Sheryl Burns in December 1966, and in their 60 years together, they were blessed with four children: George Paul, Amy, Gina, and Lori.

Gene loved being on the ranch and he spent many hours driving around in his Kubota checking his cattle. When he was not out checking cows, he loved to welcome company and could visit for hours. Everyone was welcome in his home at the dinner table. Nobody was a stranger.

Gene was incredibly supportive of his children and grandchildren’s activities. He and Sheryl received the basketball parents of the year award when his girls were in high school. His pride and joy were his grandchildren. He believed in hard work and taught both his children and grandchildren the meaning of an honest day’s work. Gene was a person of values and really wanted his grandchildren to practice good character. When they were in elementary school, he had them write letters, vowing to be courteous and thoughtful teenagers, to respect others and have self-discipline.

He was a lifetime member of the Western South Dakota Buckaroos and a dedicated member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Survivors include his wife Sheryl; son George Paul (Christi) Michael; daughters Amy (Nick) Semenza, Gina (Ben) Dutzar, and Lori Fritz; nine grandchildren: Dustin and Emma Michael, Cyrissa Thompson, Kyle Barber, Sydney and Ashton Dutzar, and Janie, Cain, and Lauren Fritz; three great-grandchildren: Ryder Thompson, Sterling and Harper Moos; one brother Anderson (Janelle) Michael; two sisters Mary Lou (Chuck) Schimke and Delores Ebberts; brothers and sisters-in-law Don and Kerry Burns, Jim and Kayleen Anderson, and Sheila Burns; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Emma Michael; sister and brother-in-law Bea and Deanie Williams; father and mother-in-law Donald and Shirley Burns; and brother-in-law Richard Burns.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 18, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Father Gary Oreshoski as celebrant assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.


Open the Memorial Folder


VISITATION
Sunday, April 17, 2022 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
Sunday, April 17, 2022 - 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, April 18, 2022 - 11:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Gary Oreshoski
assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein

MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Shelby Hanson - Vocalist
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace”
“Pastures of the Lord”
“Here I Am Lord”
“O Loving God”
“Lead Me Lord”

USHERS
Roger Williams - Burjes Fitch - Roger Peterson

ALTER SERVERS
Race O'Connor - Paige O'Connor

READER
Laura O'Connor

PALLBEARERS
Dustin Michael - Kyle Barber
Cain Fritz - Janie Fritz
Lauren Fritz - Emma Michael - Cyrissa Thompson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

  • Thoughts and Prayers and Hold Your Memories ~ joann stark NE (4/22/2022)
  • Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Michael's family. ~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (4/21/2022)
  • Sheryl - sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I have wonderful memories of time spent with you and Gene. ~ Lynn (Baker) Black Westminster, CO (4/20/2022)
  • ~ Susan Bandel (McKay) Charlotte, NC (4/19/2022)
  • We are so sorry for your loss. We're thinking about all of you during this difficult time. ~ Kurt Lustig / Tara Allen Seattle, WA (4/18/2022)
  • I am so very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Shanna Baker Sioux Falls (4/18/2022)
  • Dear Michael Family, our deepest sympathies to you all. Gene was always a good buddy to Dad and Jeff as well! He will certainly be missed! Blessed be! ~ Kelly Penticoff Philip (4/18/2022)
  • George, Amy, Gina, & Lori - your folks have raised four great kids. Sorry for your loss. ~ Hopper Philip (4/18/2022)
  • I will miss the last minutes calls to haul cattle. Gene was fun to joke around with. Your family is in my prayers. ~ Larry W. Swift 615 Hoag Ave Philip, SD 57567 (4/18/2022)
  • Such a great dad ~ Tyler Fritz North Dakota (4/18/2022)
  • So sorry to your family for your loss. ~ Hugh and Joann Hart Apache Junction, AZ and Rapid City (4/17/2022)
  • So sorry to hear of the loss of another classmate. There are so many memories of those school years. Thinking of all of you. ~ Gayle & Ralph Matz Brookings, SD (4/17/2022)
  • We were very sorry to hear about Gene. Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. Sheryl, we are thinking and praying for you and yours.
    M     ~ Jim and Vonnie O’Dea Howes, SD (4/16/2022)
  • So sorry to hear of your loss. Prays to all. ~ Bob & Sharel Spears Wickenburg, AZ (4/16/2022)
  • Cheryl & Family, So sorry to hear of Gene's passing. Our thoughts and Prayers. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, SD (4/15/2022)
  • Cheryl & Family, Our sincerest thoughts & Prayers are with All of You during this Time. Remember all of the Fun times and Good Memories spent together with Gene. God's Blessings, Kathy & Jerry Noteboom ~ Kathy S.& Jerry Noteboom 21309 Cabin Road (4/15/2022)
  • Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Jake & April Schofield (4/15/2022)
  • Phoenix ~ Joyce and Ed Buchholz Belle Fourche (4/15/2022)
  • We are thinking of all you folks during this difficult time. Hold on to all the memories. He was quite a guy. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip,SD (4/15/2022)
  • Prayers be with the family!!! ~ Joseph Millage Philip (4/15/2022)
  • Cheryl and family, I was so sorry to read about Gene and send my sincere sympathy and prayers your way. Cork & I enjoyed our visits when we returned to Philip in the summers. May Gene RIP ~ Beverly Jahner Edgewood AL, Rapid City, SD (4/15/2022)
  • Pennington ~ Jon Madsen New Underwood (4/14/2022)
  • So sorry for your loss. I have many great memories of staying at your house for sleepovers with Lori. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Sheri ~ Sheri O’Connor Eagle River, AK (4/14/2022)
  • So very sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers to you all in the coming days! ~ Nathan & Brittney Drury Philip (4/14/2022)