Michael "Mike" Rieland

Michael W. Rieland, age 73 of Melrose, passed away at the Melrose Hospital with family by his side on Thursday, November 23, 2023. 

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Inurnment will be held immediately following at the parish cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Patton- Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Church.

Michael Walter Rieland was born in Melrose on October 20, 1950 to Wilfred and Loretta (Welle) Rieland. He was a lifelong resident of Melrose, the town he loved. Mike graduated from Melrose High School in 1969. On June 26, 1976, he was united in marriage to Mary Sullivan at the church of St. Francis DeSales in Belgrade, MN. He went on to work at Stearns Electric for 39 years.

Mike was a devoted husband for 47 years. His wife, children, and grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life, and he loved them above all things. He had a strong faith and he lived it. He was a hard worker, had a generous heart, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Mike was a jokester who loved a good time with his family and friends. You could often find him working on a project in his workshop, spending time on Big Birch Lake, or supporting his grandchildren in their activities.

Survivors include his wife Mary Rieland of Melrose; children Ryan (Jessica) of Shakopee, Matthew (Shari) of Big Birch Lake, Meghan (Daniel) Brown of Melrose, and Paul (Sue) Rieland of Cold Spring; 10 grandchildren Emily, Grace, James, Allison, William, Patrick, Bennett, Katherine, Nora and Andrew; brothers Gary (Katie) of St. Louis Park, Mark (Lou) Rieland of Durand, WI, and sister-in-law Shirley Rieland of Grey Eagle.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Wilfred and Loretta Rieland; brother John “Jack” Rieland; father and mother-in-law John L. and Irene Sullivan; brothers-in-law Dennis “Mike” Sullivan, Stewart Laird and Gary Winter.

We would like to thank the medical staff at CentraCare, St. Cloud and Melrose. Your support and guidance helped us to navigate one of life’s toughest challenges. We are sincerely grateful for all you did for him, especially as he journeyed home to The Father.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s School or the St. Mary’s School Endowment Fund.