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A Life Remembered… LTC Michael Glen Wedemeyer, cherished father, fiancé, and friend, passed unexpectedly on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at age 53, after a joyful morning of riding with his friends from the Lion’s Pride motorcycle group. Mike’s life was filled with valor, kindness, and friendship. Born in Atlantic, Iowa to Robert and Joyce Wedemeyer on May 6, 1971, he grew up on a farm with siblings Bob and Tamara where he developed a strong work ethic helping take care of Appalachian horses and a variety of animals. He graduated from Adair-Casey Senior High School in 1989, where he was involved in track, football, FFA, and band. He later graduated with an Associate’s degree from Des Moines Area Community College where he served as the President of Marketing for the Distributive Education Club of America. He worked as a bartender and was no stranger to having a good time, often hosting parties with his roommates and spending nights out on the town with friends. Always working to better himself, Mike went on to further his education at Grand View University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational and Technical Studies and later a Master’s of Education from Graceland University. He first enrolled in the U.S. Army at age 17, which began his 36-year career in the military. He served in Iowa, Texas, and overseas on two deployments to Afghanistan and one to Iraq, receiving multiple awards and praise for his outstanding leadership and comradery. Known for his boisterous, friendly, and larger-than-life personality, Mike always made sure to make others feel welcome. He was often found cracking jokes with strangers and inviting friends and family over for beers, campfires, and cookouts. An avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, you could always find him yelling at the TV and cheering on the receiver to “move his ass” toward the endzone. He was proud of his children Nathan and Abby for both attending the University of Iowa and would bond with them over their love for the Hawkeyes and Iowa City. One of Mike's favorite memories was hosting "Camp Asscrackistan" with his family and longtime friends, the Tiedemanns, joining them for weekends of grilling, tubing on the Raccoon River, and storytelling around the campfire. He had a deep love for the outdoors and found joy in riding his motorcycle through the Texas Hill Country. With a heart that embraced everyone he met, he was always eager to help and ready to serve, earning him countless friends wherever he went. He shared a special camaraderie with his riding friends, the Lion’s Pride, and together they created memories that he cherished deeply. Halloween was his favorite holiday, and he celebrated it with exuberance at the annual parties hosted by his beloved friends from the Pride, the Voleks. He was the most affectionate and doting partner to his fiancée Tatiana. Though their time together was far too short, it was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Their happiness together was undeniable, and their love shined brightly. Mike will be remembered as a devoted father, partner, and friend, always having an infectious smile on his face. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Joyce Wedemeyer, stepfather Bud Girkin, brother Bob Wedemeyer, and many brothers in service. He is survived by his children Nathaniel and Abigail Wedemeyer, their mother Jill Greufe, fiancée Tatiana de Almeida Furquim Correia, her children Tiago and Tais Furquim Correia, and sister Tamara Watts-McPhail in addition to an extensive network of friends spanning Iowa and Texas. “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” - It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Tributes

LTC Michael Glen Wedemeyer

May 6, 1971 - August 3, 2024