Michael J. Kluesner was born on November 21, 1964 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of James and Carol (Krug) Kluesner. Mike was the kind of man who made life feel bigger just by being in it. He worked hard, loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and lived fully without apology. He grew up in Farley, IA, but it was Alaska that ultimately claimed his heart. From the moment he arrived, something clicked. The vast wilderness and rugged freedom matched something in Mike that nothing else ever quite had. He had found his place. He lived there until his passing on May 1, 2026 in Big Lake, Alaska.

It was in Washington state in 1997 that Mike met Marce King, the love of his life. They married on August 10, 1999, and together they built a life that was wholly and completely their own. Together they created La La Construction, born from grit and determination and named for their daughter Christian Anne, affectionately known as Sissy La La. Gone far too soon and never for a single day forgotten. Mike carried her into every mile his beloved Peterbilt rolled, every bore drilled through frozen Alaska ground, and every long Alaska day.  One of his proudest chapters was the chance to work side by side with his son Mikey (Cha), carrying the La La legacy forward together. His children were his truest joy, and it showed in everything he did.

When the day was done, nobody celebrated living quite like Mike. He loved good food, cold drinks and long nights around a fire, surrounded by the people he loved most. He had a generous heart and a larger-than-life presence, and a rare gift for making everyone around him feel like they were exactly where they were supposed to be. If Mike was there, you were having a good time. That was just how it worked.

He is survived by his wife and partner in everything, Marce Kluesner of Big Lake, AK; his son Michael "Mikey/Cha" (Bailey) Kluesner and his first grand baby on  the way of New Port Richey, FL; his stepson Joshua Hunter of Clear Lake, MI; his parents, James and Carol Kluesner of Farley; nine sisters, Elizabeth Duncan and Patricia Kluesner both of San Antonio, TX, Karen Kluesner (Jay Lease) of Dodgeville, WI, Jackie (Scott) Bamberg of Epworth, Becky (Kevin) Bergfeld of Peosta, Kim Harkey (Brian Strang) of Dubuque, Jodi (Ben) Simon of Farley, Kizzy Gaul (Mike Vaupel) of Farley, and Shannon (Gary) Givens of Joliet, IL; three brothers, David (Tammy) Kluesner of Anderson, IN, James (Heather) Kluesner of Madrid, and Todd (Laura) Kluesner of Epworth; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Christian Anne Kluesner, his Sissy La La; his stepson Jereme James Hunter; two brothers, Gerald Kluesner and Robert Kluesner; a brother-in-law, Richard Duncan; his grandparents, Alver and Ardella Kluesner and Peter and Stella Krug; his father-in-law Gordon King and mother-in-law Anne Boyle; and two nephews, Mitchell Kluesner and Michael Harkey.

Visitation for Mike a\will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m..  A private burial will be held Friday in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Farley, Iowa.

Those who love him will miss him beyond words. But there is real comfort in imagining Mike now surrounded by those he missed the most gathered around a fire beneath an endless Alaska sky. The food is on and the laughter is carrying.  Big Mike Kluesner, finally whole again, is exactly where he is supposed to be.  He was one of a kind and everyone who knew him knew that.

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