Mike Henry Itzen was born June 10, 1960, in Fairbury, Nebraska, to Donald and Barbara (Burbridge) Itzen. He passed away suddenly on October 4, 2021, at the age of 61 years old. He died doing what he loved, farming.

Mike graduated from Fairbury High School in May 1978. After school, he moved to Lincoln for a couple of years to work at Lincoln Equipment on heavy CAT equipment. Mike graduated from SCC Milford in 1983 with his Diesel Tech degree. He then worked as a diesel mechanic at J&J Diesel in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mike married the love of his life, Eileen Bohaty on May 30, 1987. After marrying, they moved from Lincoln to outside of Gilead to farm and work with his brother, Kurt, at Itzen Repair. He worked at Itzen Repair and farmed with his dad and brother for many years.

Mike ventured out on his own farming adventure (with the help of so many good friends) and his daughter, Jean, while continuing to ‘throw wrenches’ at the Thayer County Road Department and River Road Repair in Hebron. He continued farming and working as a mechanic for the rest of his life.

He had a passion for old tractors especially the Farmall F-series. He was adamant about restoring and leaving them for his kids. Jean and Mike were in the process of finishing his second restoration, a 1930 Farmall Regular. The goal was to run them both in the local tractor parade with his family.

He was an easy-going, friendly, and passionate person. He could often be found sharing his love of learning with others and reading everything he could get his hands on; especially the Midwest Messenger and The Grass and Grain newspapers. His work ethic was admired by his children and many of his friends. Mike was the ‘give you the shirt off his back’ type of person and his giving heart could be felt by everyone around him.

He was the father of three children, Renste, Brian, and Jean. He gained another son in Renste’s husband, Eric, and a daughter in Brian’s wife, Whitney. One of his favorite roles was Grandpa Mike to Guinevere, Clark, Blakely, and Maisyn. His grandkids changed his perspective on life, from working to provide for his family to spending time with his family. His grandkids provided him with another generation to share his love of tractors and he was able to take them on multiple tractor rides.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Itzen; father-in-law Albin Bohaty, and uncle Henry G. Itzen.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen; daughter Renste and son-in-law Eric Moeller, son Brian and daughter-in-law Whitney Itzen; daughter Jean Itzen; grandkids Guinevere and Clark Moeller, and Blakley and Maisyn Itzen. He is survived by his father, Donald Itzen, brother Kurt Itzen, sister Carol Itzen, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends that he considered family.

Services will be Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 10:30 at Zion Countryside Church near Gladstone.  The Family will greet friends Friday evening from 6 - 8 at the Funeral Home.  Memorials will go to the Family's Choice.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

https://www.gerdesmeyerfh.com/obituary/mike-itzen?fh_id=13308