Michael Stephen Gade

Michael Stephen Gade

Michael Stephen Gade “Papa” of Bluffton, South Carolina passed away September 18, 2025, at the age of 81.

He was born on January 15, 1944, along with his fraternal twin-sister Marcia Kay Gade, in Marshall, Minnesota to Verna Gade.

Mike attended Marshall Senior High School and graduated in 1962. As a young man, Mike’s life-long, hard-work ethic began when he delivered the Marshall Daily Messenger on one of his three newspaper routes. He also mopped floors at Mike’s Coffee Shop in Marshall, MN.

He had a treasure trove of good stories.

In 1958, for example, he saved enough money to buy an Ithaca Model 37 shotgun he had been eyeing from Addison’s Hardware. He told his grandchildren it cost $99, and he had earned exactly that amount. When he went to pay, the man behind the counter asked him how many boxes of shotgun shells he wanted to go with it – something he had not considered before hand. The owner of the store threw in a free box of shells to get him going.

He was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1966 where he served as a radio operator for an artillery unit. He didn’t talk much about his time in the service, but he never missed an opportunity to mention that he “won the war.”

While serving in Vietnam, Mike married Mary Alice Cool. They were married 58 years and raised four children – Michele Lynn White (Shane), Sherri Ann Staloch (Jason), Marc Stephen Gade, and Michael Jeffery Gade.

Mike and Mary started their own business in the fall of 1972, a small take-out and delivery franchise in Minneapolis, MN, known formally as The Golden Chicken but family and friends referred to it as “The Chicken Shop.” They operated the business together for 34 years, serving and delivering fried chicken, ribs, lobster tails, fries, and chicken wings throughout South Minneapolis. All of his children worked there at some point as well as other extended family members.

Mike was a devoted family man for whom he worked and sacrificed seven days a week to support. He often missed special events because he was working, but he always took off Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. As his children got older and were able to help run the shop, Mike sometimes took a few days off to attend the U.S. Open Golf tournament. He was an avid golfer.

Mike and Mary retired to Sun City (Bluffton), South Carolina in 2005 to get out of the cold, enjoy golfing and spend time with their grandchildren. Mike also enjoyed riding his 2000 Kawasaki ZRX motorcycle, one of his favorite possessions.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mary, all of his children, and ten grandchildren: Reagan Marie Elrod, Jamie Mae White, Andrew Hooper White, Megan Alice White, Oliver Jeffery Gade, Riley Olivianne Staloch, Piper Jordan Staloch, Luca Stephen Gade, Ezra Marc Gade and Vada Rose Gade.

Mike was truly one of a kind.

He would argue with a fence post and his stubborn streak would make a mule bow in awe. He often said, “I relish a good argument.”

He selflessly enjoyed helping others as attested by family, friends and strangers who considered him the most generous person they ever met. He enjoyed giving people nicknames and using the monicker whether they liked it or not.

Mike’s true calling in life was his role as “Papa.” His grandkids were his life. He taught by example the importance of family – and showing up for them, being helpful, generous and humble.

In the end he passed peacefully at home surrounded by family doing for him what he did best…loving, caring and showing up.

You lived life on your own terms, Papa. You will be missed.