A Visitation for Michael Lamer, age 73, of Spencer, formerly of Spirit Lake, was held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Private family graveside took place at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Okoboji.
Michael Allen Lamer, 73, passed away on April 8, 2025, after a valiant fight against cancer. In his final days, he was surrounded by his family.
Born on December 19, 1951, Mike was the only child of Emmett Lamer and Mary Lamer (Fisher). Mike cherished time spent with his parents, whether it was working together on projects or simply visiting and sharing laughs. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1970, where he enjoyed wrestling and playing baseball. Hard-working and dedicated, Mike spent over 30 years in landscaping, grounds, and maintenance in the Lakes area for Village West, The Inn, and Manhattan Beach.
The most important thing to Mike was family. He met his wife, Eileen Lamer (Welch), while they were working at Village West, and they married on September 2, 1994. They spent the next 30 years building their life together at their home on the Narrows of East Lake Okoboji, where Mike took pride in his own landscaping and home-improvement projects. Mike enjoyed spending his time boating and fishing on the lake, golfing, reading, and watching his favorite teams — the Denver Broncos and Iowa Hawkeyes.
Though Mike wasn’t one to put himself front and center, the depth of his joy and love for his children and grandchildren leaves a lasting mark that deserves to be remembered and celebrated. He was a quiet source of strength, a steady presence, and someone who showed his care through action. Those who love him will remember his witty sense of humor, knack for telling an entertaining story, and his positive attitude and resilience.
He is survived by his wife Eileen, daughter Leslie Dahl-Mongan and her husband Glenn Mongan, son Jordan Welch and his wife Dallas Welch, and his grandchildren, Lake, Autumn, Peyton, and Ember Mongan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmet and Mary, his father-in-law Edward Welch, and many beloved cousins.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
