LIFE STORY

Gengler, Michael P. “Mike”

Age 58, of Stillwater, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2018 with dignity and humor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Marilyn Gengler, a sister in law Nancy Gengler, and two brother in laws, Chip Parsons and Bobby Carroll. Mike, the fifth of eight children, grew up in the Columbia Heights area maintaining his connection to that community and those friends throughout his life. He was in the restaurant business for 42 years and owner of Gulden's Restaurant in Maplewood for the last 28 years. Along with his love of the restaurant business came his love of bass fishing. His fishing buddies will tell you how over the top excited he would get about catching a nice large mouth bass. The “WHOOP-WHOOP” could be heard across any lake. Mike was a guy who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. From kind words, a thoughtful gift, a smile or knuckle bump, Mike consistently took action to make the lives of others better. He was a role model for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. During a recent conversation with his nephew, Mike asked, “Why doesn't everyone just do what they can to make the world a better place. It doesn't need to be newsworthy, just something that makes the world a better place.” This is how Mike lived every day and the best way to honor his memory is to adopt this same thinking. It is so easy to feel small and powerless in life and to think that our actions are but drops in a bucket, barely affecting the world around us, but Mike was proof that a lifetime of drops can cause the bucket to overflow and create far-reaching ripples that impact a vast community of people. Mike's legacy will live on through his wife, Brenda; his daughters, Jessie Rae (Ross) Lichty of Cannon Falls, Makenna Gengler of Stillwater, Dayna Gengler of Stillwater; granddaughters Lainey and Ruby; brother Dan Gengler; and sisters, Nancy (Rick) Snell, Sandy (Joe) Nilges, Sue Carroll, Patti Parsons, Kris (Matt) Nelson, Jenny (Tom) Struzyk. Special friends, Joe and Deb DeLong, and Glen Harstad. The family would like to thank the Mayo Hospital team of Dr. SV Rajkumar, Amie L Fonder and Francis Baudi as well as Dr. Candy Corey of Lakeview Hospital. Mike's last days would not have been as peaceful and pain free without the heartfelt care from Dr. Bransford and the Lakeview Hospice Care Team. And a special thank you goes to the strong and resilient family of Gulden's employees and customers who have fought right along side Mike and Brenda as they maintained a successful business while helping Mike fight this dreaded disease.

Visitation is SUNDAY, March 18th from Noon to 2 PM at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave White Bear Lake and reception from 2 PM until 5 PM at RUDY'S REDEYE GRILL in White Bear Lake.

In lieu of flowers, Mike requested memorials be designated to Gift of Life House, 705 Second Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Gift of Life House is where Mike lived for 2 months while he recovered from his stem cell transplant.


OBITUARY

Gengler, Michael P.

Owner of Gulden’s Restaurant
Age 58 of Stillwater

Mike is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughters, Jessie Rae (Ross) Lichty of Cannon Falls, Makenna Gengler of Stillwater, Dayna Gengler of Stillwater; granddaughters, Lainey and Ruby; brother, Dan Gengler; and sisters, Nancy (Rick) Snell, Sandy (Joe) Nilges, Sue Carroll, Patti Parsons, Kris (Matt) Nelson, Jenny (Tom) Struzyk. Visitation SUNDAY, March 18th from Noon to 2 PM at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave. White Bear Lake and reception from 2 PM until 5 PM at RUDY’s REDEYE GRILL in White Bear Lake. In lieu of flowers, Mike strongly encouraged memorials to Gift of Life House, 705 Second Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902.