Michael T. Childs, 78, of Saint Michael, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 01, 2023. Michael was born on April 8, 1944, in Ames, Iowa to John and Louise (Morrison) Childs. He attended Ballard and Ames Community Schools and graduated from Ames High School in 1962. Michael married Diane Neville on January 13, 1963. He joined the Ames Fire Department in 1966 and rose through the ranks with the support of his crew and community, becoming chief in 1992; a position held until his retirement in 1999. Mike and Diane lived their retirement dream Up North in Lake Country of Minnesota in the welcoming communities of Nevis and Cass Lake.

Michael's passions were his family, friends, dogs, building things and love of the outdoors. Mike was a fine craftsman and builder, proudly building 20+ homes in the Ames area with his fun-loving and hard-working, multi-trade building/fire crew. He will be remembered as a man who worked tirelessly for the benefit of his community, always having a little fun along the way. Hunting and fishing brought many lifetime friends and experiences to his blessed life. No one could retell those experiences quite like Michael T. 

 Michael is survived by his daughters, Chelle (Judd) Guericke and Lisa Childs, his grandchildren, Hannah (Ross) Conn, Judson D. Guericke, and William Guericke, his brother Peter John (Kathy) Childs, his sisters, Sue (Bob) Gordy, Mary (Eric) Anderson, Lori Childs, his stepsister, Leslie (Frank) Childs Vacanti and his sister-in-law Diana Childs.

 He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane, his father, John, his stepmother, Lillian, his mother, Louise, and his brother, Dean (Bing).

 A Memorial Service will be held at Ames City Auditorium in Ames, IA, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 10:00 am. 

Memorials can be made on behalf of Michael T. Childs to one of the following: Story County Conservation - Jim Ketelson Greenwing Marsh (Ames, IA), Headwaters Chapter - Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (Park Rapids, MN), or Des Moines Area Community College - Building Trades Program (Ankeny, IA)