Michael Dideriksen, 53, of Fort Collins, died suddenly on March 20, 2007.

Michael was born on January 17, 1954 in Shenandoah, Iowa to Eleanore and the late James Dideriksen. Along with his only brother, the late Robert Dideriksen, Michael grew up in a farming family. He always appreciated the warmth of his extended family and a close knit farming community. Michael felt the draw of the Rocky Mountains, and he moved to Colorado in 1974. Mike was a graduate of the Larimer County Voc-Tech Center Seed Analysis Program in 1984.  He became a CSA (Certified Seed Analyst) in 1985 and an RST (Registered Seed Technologist) in 1998.  He worked at the USDA's National Seed Storage Laboratory in Fort Collins from 1984 until 1989 when he began working at Hilleshog Mono-Hy, a sugar beet seed company in Longmont, Colorado.  In 2001, he was hired back at the National Seed Storage Laboratory, now known as the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation.  He took the position in Fort Collins because it allowed him to spend more time with his family. 

Mike served the FRSA, SCST and AOSA in many capacities, as a representative to the ISST board of directors, the SCST Librarian, and most recently on the AOSA-SCST Consolidation Task Force.

He and his wife Janet have been together for 26 years and were married in 1991. The addition of their children, Sarah in 1993 and Daniel, in 1996, transformed Michael into the devoted soccer, baseball, “anything that my kids are doing, I’m there kind of Dad” for which he will be lovingly remembered.   They have a wide circle of friends and family from Iowa, New Jersey, and Colorado.  Mike also made many friends abroad during his trips to Europe for Hilleshog.

Recollections of Michael, whether from his youth or the recent past, always reveal an exceptionally outgoing, funny and genuine man who relished the simple pleasures in life. It should comfort all those who mourn Michael to know that he spent the last full week of his life doing what he unquestionably loved best – he was enjoying life to its fullest with his family. While on Spring Break in Florida he caught some beautiful sunsets while sitting on a balcony overlooking the ocean with a beer in his hand and bowl of peanuts by his side.  Mike lived life as though he were playing baseball.  He stepped up to the plate and swung the bat with everything he had.

Michael was laid to rest in the family cemetery in Hawleyville, Iowa on Saturday, March 24, 2007.  All are invited to Michael’s Life Celebration which is planned in the coming weeks in Fort Collins.

He will be greatly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael Dideriksen Memorial Fund to benefit his children, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526.
An online guestbook is available at www.allnutt.com.