Michael McDermott, age 77, of Cambridge died December 3, 2024 at Prairie Senior Cottages in Isanti. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 11th at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Braham. A visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 10th at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge and also one hour prior to the funeral Wednesday at the church. (There will be a short prayer service right at the begining of the visitation Tuesday at 4:00 P.M.) Interment will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Cambridge American Legion.
Michael James McDermott was born May 10, 1947 in Mason City, Iowa the first born of Edward John McDermott and Arlene Bernadette (Kelly) McDermott. He grew up on farms in Britt and Erin Township by Britt Iowa. Michael graduated from Britt High School in 1965. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and was Class President. He participated in football, basketball, and track. During high school and college summers, Michael worked for Rounds Construction in Britt, Iowa and for Western Geophysical in Texas. He attended Iowa State University and graduated with a BS in Mathematics with distinction in 1969. While at Iowa State, he was house president and head resident. Michael was a life member of the ISU Alumni Association.
Michael started work at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota in June 1969. In November 1971, Michael joined the US Army. After basic training, he worked at White Sands Missile Ranges as a Science and Engineer assistant. As part of this work he spent time at Bell Labs in New Jersey. He was a member of the post basketball team which travelled across the southwest.
In November 1973, Michael returned to IBM in Rochester, Minnesota. Michael and Mary Lou Moriarty were married on December 28, 1974 at St Kevin’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For their honeymoon, they attended the NFC championship game with the Vikings beating the Los Angeles Rams.
Michael and Mary had three children: Sarah Christine, Sean Michael, and Kathleen Heather. In 1984, Michael drew up house plans and they built their new home which the family moved to on 26 acres in Oronoco township, Minnesota.
Michael enjoyed sports; both participating and watching. He was a serious gardener and woodworker. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, including helping to coordinate the IBM volunteer house in 2006.
Michael received 16 patents for his work at IBM; mostly in high availability computing. He also received 3 Outstanding Technical Achievement Awards.
Michael was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the Holy Spirit Green Team, and the Knights of Columbus in Rochester.
Michael developed Parkinsen’s Disease which progressed throughout the years. Four years ago Michael and Mary moved to Cambridge to be closer to family. Two years ago he moved into Prairie Senior Cottages in Isanti, a memory care center. He was loved by many there due to his mild and friendly personality. He passed onto his Heavenly Father surrounded by family on December 3, 2024.
Mary, It was so nice getting to know you and Michael at Prairie Cottages. New to this lifestyle, you were helpful to us. I have also enjoyed reading about all of Michael’s accomplishments. Very impressive. Thinking of you Mary. Praying for all of Michael’s family.
Brenda Oslund
Mary, Sarah, Sean, Kathleen- Our sincere condolences on the loss of your husband, father, friend. I got to know Mike and your family thru Holy Spirit Church at our common 8am Mass time. We also worked together on the Green Team & counting in the office. I always enjoyed his gentle demeanor & stories of feeding the birds & talks about your Oronoco property. I remember him telling me about the Parkinson’s and needing to step back. I am happy to hear you were able to be closer to family these past few years. Such a gentle, kind soul. God is welcoming him with open arms. Peace to all of you in this Season of Life.
My heartfelt sympathies, Linda
I knew Mike from both IBM and Holy Spirit. Mike and Mary talked about the goal to finish Holy Spirit often, and the Parish was able to complete that goal earlier this year. Wish Mike could have seen it. My sincere condolences to you entire family. Great men like Mike are always missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace Mike!
I knew Mike from both IBM and Holy Spirit. Mike and Mary talked about the goal to finish Holy Spirit often, and the Parish was able to complete that goal earlier this year. Wish Mike could have seen it. My sincere condolences to you entire family. Great men like Mike are always missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace Mike!
Mike and his family members grew up a couple miles South of our farm near Britt, IA. My sympathy to his family.
My condolences to Mikes family. I worked with Mike at IBM. He was a mentor and wonderful person to know.
Mary ,Big hugs and prayers ❤️
I knew Mike at IBM, more from playing IBM sports with and against him. He was a great athlete and good at every sport I saw him play. Also a great guy and teammate.
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mike at IBM in Rochester. He was smart, unpretentious and one of the finest men I have ever met.
Thinking of all of you this week. Mike was always such a kind uncle and a great big brother to my dad. Praying for you all.
My sincere condolences to Mike’s family. Mike was in the department that I took over for my first management job at IBM. He was incredibly smart, a great worker and very easy to get along with. He made my first management job much easier with his even-keeled temperament. RIP Mike…you will be missed!
I’m so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I have known him from IBM initially where both my husband and I had worked with him and where I found him to be both helpful and approachable as well as a source of expertise. Then in later years I would cross paths with him at Holy Spirit where he always had a warm greeting for us. I believe there was a time when Mary and I both sang in the choir together, but that was many years ago. Like so many others, I’ll say a prayer for Mike and for the family who I know will miss him deeply.
My condolences to the McDermott family. I had the privilege of working with Mike at IBM. Mike was smart, hardworking, easy to work with, respectful, and had high integrity. He was a great guy to be around both inside and outside of IBM. We are all going to miss him.