He was born to Burnell Furstenau and Anne (Puerner) Furstenau, the second of six children. Growing up, Mike moved all over the country, with formative years in Santa Clara, California, and Downers Grove, Illinois, creating many memories and lifelong friendships. Mike spent several years in Harvard, Illinois, raising his family.
Few people had more variety in their careers than Mike. To name a few, he owned an auto body shop, was a private investigator, and managed sales and operations for a pharmaceutical company. He was also a volunteer firefighter, and he worked in a bakery that produced dog biscuits (yes, he brought samples home for his canine and human friends to try, touting the quality and the engineering behind the operation).
Mike later moved to Albuquerque to spend time with his mother in her final years. It was there that he met Tyrrell, a native of Albuquerque, and they were married. Mike and Tyrrell share a love for Albuquerque, their dogs, and each other.
Mike's encore career was building decks for people in the Loves Park, Illinois area, where his craftsmanship and care for the details showed in every project. He took great joy in conquering a challenge and would tell people he worked very few days in his life, simply because he loved what he did.
Mike is survived by his wife, Tyrrell (Patterson) Furstenau; his sons, Michael Burnell Furstenau and Scott Robert Furstenau; and his grandson, Scott Robert Furstenau Jr. He is also survived by Sarah (Jeremy) Homola, and their children, Zoey, Behrett, Coleton, Amiya, and Dekker Homola.
He is survived by his siblings, Stephen (Carol) Furstenau, Chuck (Jill) Furstenau, Anne (Gregg) Walker, TJ (Lisa) Furstenau, and Karyn (Greg) White, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Mike; and his former wives, Sue Jaeger, the mother of his children, and Debbie Perenchio.
Mike had a strong faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, and found deep comfort in that faith, even through life's struggles, including his diagnosis of glioblastoma in November 2024. Mike's positive and grateful outlook on life, especially in his final year, was inspiring to all around him.
A viewing and reception will be held at Ludvigsen's Mortuary in Fremont, Nebraska, on Friday, April 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery in Ridgeley Township near Scribner, Nebraska, on Saturday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m., where his parents are buried. A celebration of life is being planned in Harvard, Illinois, at a later date.
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