Michael Charles Hiltunen - Volga

April 7, 1969 – May 16, 2018

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Michael Charles Hiltunen, 49, of Volga, died Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard. Burial is in Graceland Cemetery in Howard. Visitation will begin Sunday at noon to 4 p.m. at Willoughby Funeral Home in Howard and resume with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. and reflections at 7 p.m. all at the church in Howard.

He was born on April 7, 1969, to Rusty and Mary Hiltunen in Madison and grew up in Howard. 

All who knew Mike understand how he was voted “Mr. Irresistible” in the Howard High School Class of 1987. Mike graduated from Augustana College in 1992 with a degree in business administration. But that was nothing compared to marrying the girl of his dreams, Heather Adler.  He told her parents he was going to marry Heather when she was only in eighth grade. Their dreams came true as they were married in 1993. Their loved endured. This August, Heather and Mike would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. 

Their love created a big, beautiful family of five children who will carry their dad’s love and kind spirit in their hearts forever. 

Mike was an avid Mets fan, and his love of baseball drove him to play amateur baseball for more than 20 years, and also coach Legion baseball. Mike was incredibly hard working, and he purchased Rusty’s Food Store with his brother, Rick, and co-owned it until 2010 when he and Heather and their children moved to Custer. There he bought Custer County Market and owned it from 2010 – 2015. In recent years he worked for USA Payroll and Harms Oil. Mike’s customers and staff were family to him, and the number of people who mourn deeply for him is immeasurable.

Mike was a well-known hunting guide and knew the Black Hills like the back of his hand.  He was at home and happiest hunting in the Hills and East River with friends and family, kicking back with good food, a cold one and stories at the end of the day.  

Mike was a slave to fashion and could always be counted on to perfectly match any pants and shorts with his Coca Cola sweatshirts and camo pants or shorts. Fortunately, his fashion sense is the only thing he did not pass on to his children.

He is survived by his wife, Heather of Volga; his five children, Erik of Brookings; Peyton (fiancé Tabin Elmore) of Brookings, Trent, Kendra and Brady all at home in Volga; his father, Rusty Hiltunen; brother, Rick (Pam) Hiltunen, both of Howard and their daughters Senia (Zach Borg) and Katy; brother Scott (Lynn) Hiltunen of Yankton and their daughters Steffi (and fiancé Jeremy Schrempp), Megan and Elle; a sister, Jamie O’Brien of Brookings and her son Scott; parents-in-laws Jerry and Karna Adler of Howard; brother-in-law Damon Adler and his daughter Claire; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.  

He was preceded in death by his mother Mary, his nephew Michael, his grandparents Tom (Mrytle) Attletweedt and Harvey (Senia) Hiltunen.