Michael Harold McDowell, age 74, formerly of Elkton, SD, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, at the Hospice House in Ames, IA. Services will be held on Saturday, April 15 ^th , 2023, at 10:00am at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 202 W 7 ^th Street, Elkton, SD.

Michael was born on November 14 ^th , 1948, to Harold and Aleen (Bird) McDowell in Tyler, Minnesota. Michael grew up in Elkton, SD and received his elementary education at St. Mary's Catholic school and then attended Elkton Public Schools where he would graduate in 1968. Michael went on to marry Teresa Powell in 1969.  In this union Michael and Teresa had two daughters, Amy (1970) and Heather (1973).

Michael was enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Maryland.  Michael served proudly until 1970 for active duty and was a Viet Nam Era Veteran.  He then transitioned to the Naval Reserve until September of 1974. He was also a volunteer on the Elkton, SD Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.

Michael lost his father at the age of 15 and started working for local farmers to help provide for his family and at age 17, he went to work for a lumber company in Jordan, MN and in Sioux Falls, SD. Michael's adult career was spent at 3M, where he worked for 38 years in both Brooking, SD and Valley, NE as a manager of the warehouse.

On July 8 ^th , 2017, Michael was united in marriage to Mary Kathleen Hedrick.  They had a private family ceremony joined by his step daughter Kelsey Hedrick and his immediate family. Michael and Mary Kathleen resided in Nevada, IA at the time of his passing.

In his younger years Michael enjoyed participating in sports; particularly, football and basketball. He was also an outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting. Michael traveled annually to the Sandhills in Nebraska and was always accompanied by several friends and family members. Michael was a passionate softball coach to both of his daughters as well as others in the community of  Valley, NE.  He was successful at leading many teams to tournament titles, including a State Championship.  Michael was also a licensed pilot and owned a Beechcraft Bonanza and was an avid Vikings fan.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Mary Kathleen McDowell, Nevada, IA; daughters, Amy McClaughry, Goodyear, AZ and Heather Caughlin (Barry), Elkhorn, NE; grandsons, Jake McClaughry, Scottsdale, AZ and Cade McClaughry, Lincoln, NE, Chase and Cameron Caughlin, Elkhorn, NE; stepdaughter, Kelsey Hedrick, Jakarta, Indonesia; siblings, Dyann McDowell, Brookings, SD, Janelle Fornecker (Mike), Kings Mountain, NC, Nyla Gregerson (Doug), Kings Mountain, NC, Terri Wiskur, Brookings, Faye Aaker (Ron), Sioux Falls, SD, June Daberkow (Dennis), Lakefield, MN, Carol Wiese (Russ), Rapid City, SD, and Sam McDowell, Hooper, NE; and 28 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bill McDowell, and brother-in-law, Roger Wiskur.

Following the funeral and burial services there will be a luncheon provided at St. Mary's Hall in Elkton.