Michael Mahlum

Michael Victor Mahlum, 64, passed away Saturday, September 1, 2018, at home. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, September 8, at First Presbyterian Church, 214 E Thayer Ave., Bismarck, with Reverend Dr. Leanne Simmons officiating. Visitation is from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Friday, September 7, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Mike was born July 20, 1954, in Sedalia, Missouri, to Victor and Elaine (Guinn) Mahlum. He was raised near air bases around the country and in England. After Mike’s father retired from the U.S. Air Force, the family settled in Minot, where he graduated from high school. Mike later graduated from the University of North Dakota. Mike married Rebecca (Becky) Jones on October 10, 1981, in Bismarck. Married for almost 37 years, they raised three children, Johannes (Johan), Rachel Shiny and Sedalia, in Bismarck. Mike loved his family, but his true love was rock-and-roll. He wrote music columns for several North Dakota newspapers and opened a record store, the Music Syndicate. Mike and his staff practiced the store’s motto, “Where the music matters,” for 15 years. Customers and friends came to Mike with music questions, many of which he could answer off the top of his head. He used to say, “At the Music Syndicate, there are no dumb questions, only research opportunities.” Later in life, he developed an interest in country music and would point out the poignant lyrics to anyone, including occasionally unappreciative audiences, such as his wife in the late stages of labor. Mike also had a passion for his “day job,” promoting energy conservation for the State of North Dakota. He especially enjoyed his coworkers, many of whom he considered good friends. Mike enjoyed serving others as a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church, and especially loved delivering recordings of the service to people who couldn’t get to church. He didn’t believe in being just a fair-weather fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins and was a strong supporter of the North Dakota Dem-NPL. Mike’s family thanks those who helped care for him during his many years dealing with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, especially his friends, doctors, and caring health professionals at Sanford Hospice and Dakota Home Care. He is survived by his wife, Becky; his children, Johan, Shiny and Sedalia Mahlum; mother, Elaine Mahlum; sister, Beatrice Mahlum; aunt, Martha Snyder; sisters-in-law, Deborah (Curt) Hanson and Sarah (Ted Barnett) Jones; brother-in-law, Jeffrey (Louie) Jones; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Victor; mother-in-law, Helen Jones; and father-in-law, Kent Jones.