Michael Colby

Voltaire

Michael Colby, 72, Voltaire, ND, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Minot Health and Rehab.

Michael David Colby was born August 1, 1952, the son of Paul and Irene (Vogel) Colby, in Minot, ND. He grew up on the family farm in the Voltaire area in McHenry County. He began his first four years of formal education in the Verendrye Public School, that school district was consolidated with Velva, and he continued his education there and graduated from high school in 1970. While in high school, he was a member of the FFA, along with excelling in science and sports. He was co-captain of the Velva Aggies Football Team in his senior year.

Following high school, he attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, where he studied Diesel Mechanics.

His main interest was big machines, and he worked for Strucksness Construction before starting his own business as Colby Enterprises. He began with a backhoe and dirt digging projects. Later he expanded to bigger machines and bigger jobs. Because he wanted to know how to operate a crane he purchased a small antique model and taught himself to run it. Later saying “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn.” Some called him, “Machine Man Mike.”

His business declined along with his health over the last ten years, but he never lost interest in life.

He was a rugged individual, who was always focused and knew what he wanted. He had faults but had great talent and personality. He will be greatly missed. He could be called a “diamond in the rough.”

His loving family includes: Mother, Irene Colby; brothers, Louis Colby, and Kevin Colby; sister, Paula Fuchs; nephews, Wyatt Colby, and Ryan Fuchs; nieces, Erin Bermudez, Allison Colby, and Jessica Tardiff; nephew-in-law, Paul Eisner; former wife, Hazel Hughes; step-sons, Todd Hughes, and JR Hughes. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul R. Colby; grandparents, John W. and Josephine Colby, Sebastian and Katherine Vogel; brother-in-law, Jerry Fuchs; aunts, Regina (Jeanne) Sandberg, Florence Loken, Pearle Pierson, Orpha Raffterty; uncles, John Colby and Maynard Sandberg, Paul Vogel, Gordon and Mouroe Ashley.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, January 31, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Velva.

Interment: Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Velva, ND. Burial will take place in the spring.

Visitation: Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Velva.

Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 6 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Velva.

Memorials: are preferred to St. Cecilia Catholic Church renovation fund, National Diabetic Association or charity of donor’s choice.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 29, 2025.