Michael Johannes

Michael J. Johannes passed away suddenly Friday, November 6, 2026 at his home in Ames, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM, Friday, November 13, 2026 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Sibley with Father Siby Punnoose as celebrant.

Visitation will take place from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM Friday morning at the church.  

A private interment will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Ashton, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Michael was born on July 21, 1951 to Laurence and Joan (Schoo) Johannes in Sibley, IA. Mike was raised on a farm north of Ashton, IA. He worked along side his father, grandfather and siblings tending to the chores on a crop/livestock farm.

He attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Ashton, IA until he was a sophomore in 1967 when the school was closed. Transferring to Sibley High School, Sibley, IA in the Fall of 1967 he finished his education and graduated in 1969. During his high school years, he was a basketball athlete and played baseball on the Sibley HS Team that took State Championship in 1969. Mike continued his education at the Junior College in Worthington, MN where he received his Associates Degree.

Mike's first jobs were in Sibley at the Meat Locker Plant and Cargill before going to work with his uncle at the Walnut Grove Feed warehouse in Bode, IA. In the mid 70's he moved to Armstrong, IA where he worked at Arts-Way, first as a long-haul driver and then as a manufacturing purchaser. In 2002, he set out on a new frontier in Ames, IA. He landed a purchasing manager's position with Todd & Sargant until he retired in 2026.

His love for all things sports never left him. He coached Little League and T-Ball to the kids in Armstrong. He faithfully followed his favorite teams, the NY Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. Over the years he developed a love of golf and played as often as he could, with the biggest thrill of his life happening on September 12, 2018 with his first hole in one — a round of drinks for the club house. He loved to get in the car and drive. Mike and Jan spent many summers wandering the highways and back roads of South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Mike also loved to grill and cook, he was never shy about sharing his new recipes or tricks.

Michael was a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquanis in Ames. His faith was important to him throughout his life. He will be remembered for his ability to make a short story long, his honesty, courage and love for family and friends. But most of all he was a son, brother and a forever friend.

Michael is survived by his mother, Joan, sister, Mary Beth, both of Sibley, brother, Denis of Phoenix, AZ and special friend, Janet McGee of Ames, IA. He also has a large extended family of relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, Laurence Johannes and grandparents, JP and Mary Johannes and Joe and Pauline Schoo.