Mike Kesselring – UPDATED

Funeral Services for 69-year old Mike Kesselring of Harrison, NE, are Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 2:00 at the Harrison Bible Church in Harrison, NE.

Burial will be at the Harrison Cemetery..

A memorial has been established and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Michael Asa Kesselring was born Jan 27th 1954, in Blue Earth, MN, to Merlin and Carol Kesselring, and passed away May 13, 2023, at his home.

Mike grew up and lived in Blue Earth, which he quickly departed after high school to serve in the U.S Military as an Army Military Police. When he got out, he moved to Montana and met the beautiful Linda Joy at the Silver Spur restaurant and bar. After a kiss on New Year’s Eve, just 1 minute before midnight…it all began. Marriage, kids, and then back to Minnesota for college.

After earning his degree, he and his business partner opened their own practice and treatment center acting as Chemical dependency counselors. In the meantime, a notion by Merlin and Roberta Kesselring began the inspiration and vision that led to building and working The High Plains Homestead in 1996.

In 1998, Mike and Linda departed Minnesota and permanently moved to the badlands to ultimately take over and run The High Plains Homestead. Upon the retiring of Merlin and Roberta, Mike, Linda and family took over the Cookshack and continued creating what many of us remember today.

With many years of success under their belt, ample stories, countless memories and too many visitors to count over cowboy beans, fresh grilled steaks by Mike himself and of course Linda’s famous home-made pies, the Homestead and Cookshack was an absolute hit, not only for visitors but for locals alike.

You certainly didn’t get the full experience unless you took a moment to get around the fire with Mike and hear one of his many colorful stories. Well, because after all we can’t let a little truth get in the way of a good story”.

After selling in 2019, they moved on to new ventures with Mike partnering up with Chadrad Communications and becoming the local radio celebrity and top selling salesperson in the history of Chadrad communications.

Residing in Harrison, they have been active members of the Harrison Bible Church where Mike was an active participant in the worship team. Along with many of his accomplishments and engagements, Mike was a mentor to many, a substitute teacher, community leader, and active civic engagement speaker.

He served as the president of the Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition Board along with being the Chair of the Sioux County Travel Board and avid supporter of mutual collaboration, enhancing tourism and community promotions that result in organic success for everyone.

Mike had a profound ability to richly enhance the lives of those around him through his bright, and eccentric personality that was completely contagious.

Mike will always be remembered as the biggest “tall tale teller” of our time, community supporter, relationship builder, bullshitter, who ultimately cared and loved the folks around him more than he cared about our opinion about him, and that will forever have a lasting impact on our entire community, counties far and wide.

Mike is survived by his spouse Linda Joy Kesselring; his kids Nick Kesselring, Angie and Jeff Mullen; sisters Sue Olson, Romi Brown, and Annette Mahone.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Mike Kesselring.