With crime and drugs on the rise in California, Robert got the farming bug and moved his family to Paul, Idaho. Here, his family could enjoy clean air, fertile ground and good ol’ fashioned country living. It was also here that Robert taught his four boys how to farm and be upstanding citizens. In their second year of farming, Robert was injured in a farming accident and plans for Nessen Farms dissolved.

Mike went on to graduate from the “school of hard knocks”.

He married and had Michael Jr. in May of 1971.

He soon divorced and joined the USMC, following his brother, who was in the Army. Mike was “Honorman” High Shooter and High Physical Fitness Test.

Mike Jr. lived with his grandparents while Mike Sr. was stationed abroad in Okinawa, Japan.

On his return from overseas, Mike was reunited with his son in 1974. He was stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC in the 1st BN 6th Marines. While there, Mike met and courted Kathy K. Thede. The two were married on November 9, 1976 at his next duty station in Bangor, Washington.

Soon, Mike Jr. had a little sister; Heidi Jean Nessen was born March 15, 1977.

The family travelled across the country with Mike’s recruitment including Iowa, Oregon, and Hawaii before he finally retired in 1993.

With his daughter still living at home, her education and environment growing up was very important. Mike viewed Albany as a very attractive city to raise a family (and trapping was good). Mike had wanted to be a “Mountain Man” from a young age; his dream was to be a trapper and live off the land.

In the end, he was able to live his dream of being a trapper. He could always tell you stories about past trapping jobs; be it a pair of baby raccoons or the three baby skunks he brought home for the grandkids to play with. If he went to the back porch to come in the house and was only wearing his underwear, Kathy knew he had just finished a skunk job!

Mike had many other jobs including UPS, Target Distribution Center, Timber by Products, and finally the USPS where he retired from after 17 years. No matter where he worked, he made lifelong friends, especially at the USPS, who he viewed as family. Even to this day, he would always say that his postal family had his back.

Mike was preceded in death by his youngest brother Douglas Nessen Sr. and both parents.

Mike is survived by his wife Kathy; son Michael A. Nessen Jr.; daughter Heidi J. Haworth; brother Dennis Nessen of Rexburg, Idaho; uncles Paul (Terri) and Fred; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 24 at the Eagles Lodge in Albany, 127 Broadalbin St SW.

Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House.