Mike "Papa Farm" Mathern

Michael Joseph Mathern, age 70, passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2024, at his home in Solen.  

Michael, known to his grandchildren as Papa Farm, was born August 25, 1953, in Mandan to Joseph and Katherine (Manolovitz) Mathern. He was raised on the family farm south of Solen.  He graduated from Fort Yates High School and attended ND State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. After college he came back home to help his dad with the family dairy farm and worked at Farmers Union in Selfridge. Eventually, Mike took over his family business on June 9, 1976, and continued his lifelong career in farming and ranching. 

Mike, along with his daughters, Lisa and Stephanie, welcomed Cynthia Fitterer into their family on December 21, 1979.  Mike and Cindy had two children, Joseph and Lynn.     

Mike enjoyed hunting, buying and finishing guns, and leatherwork on his saddles, bridles, and buckles. He looked forward to hosting the annual prairie dog shoots with his friends and family and loved raising horses and breaking them himself on the ranch. Mike enjoyed his time with his children and especially his grandchildren and his yearly gatherings for branding and PG’ing with his family, where his directions were always as clear as mud!!  He also looked forward to one of the newer family traditions on Labor Day where the days were never long enough, beer was always in stock, and he would have his big gulp filled with his favorite drink, tequila and grapefruit juice! Mike was one of a kind. When he was born God “broke the mold.” 

Earning the title of Papa Farm was the greatest accomplishment he achieved. He took pride in making sure his grandchildren always had smiles on their faces and memories to take with them every single moment he had with each of them. From baking cookies, to shoving their faces into birthday cakes, or taking his dentures out to scare them…he was the one that made it happen.  From taking them in the tractors to feed the cows, wrestle with a baby calf, find new baby kittens, and get snakes away from the house…he never did it alone when his grandchildren were around.  

Mike also created his own “bucket list” and began to enjoy once in a lifetime moments for himself. His first was his trip with Lisa and her family to Cooke City, MT, where he enjoyed the mountains, riding side by side, finding wooden statues to ensure he got more pictures and memories.  He later got time away with his nephew, Shane Vollmer, for an elk trip where he again made memories by shooting his prized elk. Mike’s next trip was with his daughter, Stephanie, and her family where he saw the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Las Vegas, and as Mike would say, “That is too many city people for me!”  But in every moment and bucket list item he was so proud and happy to spend them with the people who meant the world to him.  

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia; children, Lisa (Randy) Rhone, Stephanie (Lance) Selzler, and Joseph Mathern; six grandchildren, Mary, Harper, and Jesse Rhone, Caleb Zerkus, Waylon Fulbright, and Jared Selzler; one brother, Daryl Mathern; four sisters, Betty Erickson, Donna Mathern-Schillereff, Loree Brewster, and Jill Vollmer (Brian); mother-in-law, Irene Fitterer; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mike was preceded in death by his daughter Lynn (Animal) Mathern; parents, Joe and Katie Mathern; father-in-law, Clarence Fitterer; sisters, Holly Mathern and Janell Mathern; sister-in- law, Maryann Mathern; brother-in-law, Jerry Erickson; and many beloved aunts and uncles.

Thank you to all who have offered their support, time, and care of the Mathern Ranch and family.

A Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 AM on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Mandan Eagles Club, 1400 Collins Ave., Mandan. A luncheon will immediately follow. 

Visitation will be from 5-6 PM on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Prayer Service at 6 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the Eagles on Monday.