Mike Stopski

Michael John Stopski, Sr., age 71, of Brimson, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully after longtime health problems, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Mike was born on September 4, 1953, in Shakopee, to Albert Michael and Bernice (Williams) Stopski. He graduated from New Prague High School and continued his education with a number of technical colleges, achieving certificates in electrical, heating and cooling, and HVAC. He started out at Scott Equipment and then worked for many years at Minnesota Valley Engineering (MVE) in New Prague. He and his wife, Claire, moved to Two Harbors, and they opened and operated an in-home adult foster care service, continuing in that until Mike retired. At that time they moved to their cabin in Brimson.

Mike’s life was dedicated to service and the care of others. A dedicated Mason, he was formerly active in the Trinity Lodge in Two Harbors and currently active in Fortitude Lodge of Duluth. He was the ultimate handyman with the ability to fix everything and that fed his love of tinkering. His construction abilities saw him coming to the aid of friends and neighbors in their construction challenges. Mike had a love of gardening. He enjoyed foraging and working with herbs. He was interested in holistic healing and always sought and offered a solution for whatever might ail you with one of his herbal tinctures. He was selfless, donating one of his kidneys to his mother, and being the first to offer his time and energies when a need arose.

Mike was perhaps best loved for his quirky personality. He was always silly and fun, the life of the party, with the ability to elicit laughter and positive energy. An outgoing, personable nature gave him the ability to talk to anyone and he could strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger no matter where he went. His family was the center of his life and every phone conversation ended with “Be safe and I love you more!” His death has left a huge hole from a huge legacy!

Mike is survived by his wife of 26 years, Claire Forsberg of Brimson; children, Kristin (Blair) Strand of Waseca, Jennifer (Gene) Litzler of Raleigh, NC, Jennifer “BJ” Flicek of Le Center, Michael J. Stopski, Jr., (Jessica) of Northfield, Kelly Stopski of Owatonna; grandchildren, Jordan (Cooper) Gillick, Elizabeth (Josh) Lyons, Alycen Strand (Nate Ghighi), Zoey Litzler (fiancé, Aurora), Nikki (Niko) Pink, Caelin Ham, Brayden Ham, Kailey Flicek, Blake Flicek, Mitchell Stopski, Jacie Stopski; great-grandchildren, Nikko & Dream Gillick, Paisley Lyons; Claire’s children, Jeremy Olson, Matthew Manning, Charlie Olson, John Olson; sisters, Linda (Robert) Lambrecht of Owatonnna, Crystal (Kevin) Zvanovec of Heidelberg; former wife, Kathy Stopski of Owatonna. He is preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Chappy Plonsky; brothers, John, Thomas, Patrick (in infancy); sister, Eraina Vohnoutka.

A Masonic Celebration of Life will be held Friday, December 13, 2024, at 5:00 PM at Bruzek Funeral Home with Master Mason, Grant Lillevold officiating. Visitation will be held starting at 3:00 pm until service time. A private burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in New Prague at a later date.