Michael Lee Harvala

Michael L. Harvala age 56 of Detroit Lakes, MN, died September 7, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Michael Lee Harvala was born December 30, 1968, in Santa Rosa, CA. He moved to Moorhead, MN as a young child and later to Detroit Lakes, where he received his education, graduating from Detroit Lakes High School in 1987. Michael worked as a cook in the Detroit Lakes area. Over the years he cooked at the Tree House, the Holiday Inn, Four Corners, Speedway, the Audubon Supper Club, and Curly’s on Cotton Lake.

Michael loved the outdoors and the bounties that nature provided. He enjoyed hunting, trapping, gardening, foraging for mushrooms, canning, and making wine. He also had a knack for connecting with people, especially the elderly.

He is survived by his mother and step father, Donna (Al) Heirass, of Twin Valley, MN; two special girls, Alexia Fierros and Alivia Aletha; two brothers, Dan (Dee) Harvala, of Albuquerque, NM; and Rick (Stacie) Harvala, of Moorhead, MN; three sisters, Angela Harvala-Asleson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Diana Harvala Carlson, of Perham, MN; and Sara (Brad) Moen, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Brother-in-law, Scott Monson; several nieces and nephews; and grandmother, Joyce Boedigheimer.

He was preceded in death by his father Rick Harvala Sr., one sister, Richelle Monson; one nephew, Zack Asleson; grandparents Eugene and Margaret Harvala; and Grandfather Lambert Boedigheimer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday September 12, 2025; 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, rural Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the St. Mary of the Lakes Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.