Bishop Michael M. Chuppe

Reverend Michael Mathias Chuppe, 67, Bismarck, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones in Rochester, MN on November 13, 2023.

A service livestream will be available for viewing at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/thesanctuarybis/

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, Nov. 20, at The Sanctuary, 2630 E Ave A, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 19, with a time of sharing being held from 6:00-7:30 PM, at The Sanctuary.

Visitation will continue one half hour prior to the service.

Interment immediately following the funeral at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck.

Michael was born on November 30, 1955 in New York City, NY to Michael and Dona (Tescher) Chuppe. He graduated from Scranton High School where he enjoyed and excelled in competitive sports. After high school he moved to Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck State College with a degree in computer programming. On September 4, 1976, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Shirley Kay Wolf, and they were married for 47 wonderful years. They were blessed with four beautiful daughters, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Over the years Michael worked in management at St. Alexius Hospital, owned his own construction company, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and classic cars. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend he found great joy in his loving wife and family. Michael loved laughing and joking, and he will always be remembered for his mischievous smile that made his eyes twinkle. All who knew him knew that he loved to spend time with his family, and if you ever walked into a family gathering, laughter was always at the center.

Almost everyone he met would hear the story of how God healed him from cancer in his younger years which got his attention and changed the course of his life when he turned to God and accepted the call to ministry. He moved his family from all they had ever known in Bismarck to Grafton, ND to pastor for eight years. In 2007, his family transitioned back to Bismarck where he pastored for 15 years and recently became the bishop at The Sanctuary. Now we remember him as Reverend Michael M. Chuppe, a man of integrity, wisdom, and strength. In times of hardship, he supported and encouraged others despite the pain he was enduring throughout his own sickness.

In addition to his natural family, he found great joy in being with his church family. Rev. Chuppe was a friend to many and dedicated his life to being an example of God’s love to all he met. Aside from his family, Rev. Chuppe found his greatest fulfillment in sharing his faith. Through Bible studies, telling all he met about Jesus, mission trips, and serving in numerous local, state and national church positions, Rev. Chuppe changed the trajectory of countless lives. His commitment to his faith led others to the path of salvation. No one this side of heaven will truly know the full impact of his sacrifice, investments, and dedication to God’s kingdom. His complete faith in God in every aspect of his life is left as an example to the hurting and rejoicing alike. The loss we feel on earth upon his passing is immeasurable, but so is the impact of his legacy. Psalms 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints.”

Michael is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Mikaela (Shane) Paulson, Christine (Dan) Howell, Kristen Chuppe, and Alyssa Chuppe; grandchildren, Shayla Paulson, Chandler Paulson, Grace Paulson, Adley Paulson, Mathias Howell, Mikah (Onana) Muyumba, Christina (Ethen) Painter; great grandchildren, Kayah, Percelinia, Zyon, Evylen, Novah, and Lakota; dad, Jim (Jo Lee) Lowman; siblings, Greg (Laurie) Chuppe, Steve (Deb) Chuppe, Alicia (Perry) Redmond, Talus Lowman, Kale (Keely) Lowman, Kole Lowman; Shirley’s siblings, Jerry, Bonnie, Jim, Judy, Fay, Larry, and Kerry; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael Chuppe and Dona Chuppe/Lowman; father-in-law, William Wolf; mother-in-law, Loretta Wolf; brothers-in-law, Bob Wolf, Keith VanDewerker, and Val Vetter; sisters-in-law, Robin Wolf and Toni Wolf.