Michael Polovitz

Mike Polovitz, 86, died December 14th in Grand Forks, ND. Born in 1926, he is the son of an iron ore miner and grew up in the small Upper Peninsula town of Wakefield, Michigan. He served briefly in the navy during World War II and returned to get his MA in music at the University of Michigan. He met his wife, Barbara Boggio, at the University Chapel in Ann Arbor where they were married June 12, 1949. Mike and Barbara moved to Grand Forks in 1954 when he became a music professor at the University of North Dakota teaching instrumental music and was conducting both the concert and marching band programs. Mike served Grand Forks in many official capacities: UND music professor (32 years), Grand Forks School Board member (15 years), Grand Forks City Council (8 years), Mayor of Grand Forks (8 years), and North Dakota State Senator (4 years). He was also known as a wonderful husband and father; a hunter of ducks, geese and deer; builder of the Union Lake cabin that brought the family tremendous fun and memories as the kids grew up at "the Lake" every summer weekend; a fisherman; a neighbor who enjoyed a good cup of coffee; a "fighter" for those less fortunate; a Sunday School teacher and strong believer in God; an author of "The Mayor's Alley"; and a man who didn't give up on things he believed were important for the good of the people of Grand Forks and North Dakota. Mike is survived by his wife, Barb; two sisters (Jean Brekke of Boise, ID and Dottie Began of Glendora, CA) four children and their spouses; Tom (Mary) Brainerd, MN; Ken (Becky) Plymouth, MN; Norma (Ross) Missoula, MT; Dave (Berni) Medina, MN, 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandsons. Mike was preceded in death by a sister, Judy Johnson and a brother, Rick Polovitz. A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 3, 2014 at the University Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Mike requested that in Lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Northlands Rescue Mission in Grand Forks, ND.