Michael Wayne “Mike” Fletcher, 57, of Maxwell passed away in an accident May 21, 2025 at his home. He was born February 14, 1968 to Don and Rose (Feeney) Fletcher in North Platte.
Mike graduated from Maxwell High School with the class of 1986. He attended college and played football at Chadron State where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
Mike was united in marriage to Annette Derra on July 31, 1987 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. The couple first met when they were babies in the nursery, as they were both born at North Platte hospital two days apart. Their lives were destined to cross as they later became high school sweethearts. They lived in the Maxwell area for many years where they built their dream home next to the family farm and raised their three boys.
Mike hired on with Union Pacific Railroad April 20, 1990, and worked as a Locomotive Engineer alongside his brother Mitch. He retired December 1, 2022. Over his 32 years at UPRR Mike made many lifelong friends.
In addition to working for Union Pacific Mike pursued his passion for farming and ranching. He and his brother Morgan took over the family farm from their father Don and In 2013 M&M land and cattle was born.
Everything Mike did was “full throttle”. He had a love for everybody and his home was open to everyone; Mike knew no strangers. Mike will be remembered as the life of the party. Mike loved to host Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Husker games. Mike loved cooking for his friends and family and hosting parties. Mike always helped anyone with their projects and was known as a “redneck engineer”. He loved a good auction and couldn’t pass by a deal. He enjoyed making homemade spirits, including his famous homemade wine (LeggSpredda). Mike loved playing sports and watching sports. He was always front row at his kids and grandkids’ activities. Family was the center of his life and he was immensely proud of his sons, loved his daughters-in-law, and would drop everything for his beloved grand kids. Not to mention his nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. Mike was an avid outdoorsman he enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving and any outdoor activities. Mike taught his own sons to hunt and fish and was continuing the tradition with his grandkids. Mike will be remembered as a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and above all a friend.
Survivors include wife, Annette of Maxwell; sons, Cody (Marci) Fletcher of Maxwell, Austin Fletcher of Gothenburg, Brandon (Madeline) Fletcher of Maxwell; grandchildren, Camden Fletcher, Eden Fletcher, and Calvert ‘Michael’ Fletcher; mother, Rose Fletcher of Maxwell; in-laws, Larry and Diane Derra of North Platte, Mike and Patti Earl of North Platte; siblings, Mitch (Karolyn) Fletcher of Maxwell, Morgan (Jen) Fletcher of Maxwell, Murray (Michaela) Fletcher of Elmwood; sisters-in-law, Missy (Wade) Koenen of Sedgwick, CO and Tiffany (Scott) LeTourneau of North Platte; and many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.
Preceding him in death are father, Donald Fletcher, brother-in-law, Troy Derra; grandparents, John and Fern Feeney; grandparents-in-law, Donald and Yvonne Derra, and “Grandma B”.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family in Mike’s name. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Visitation will be held 12 noon - 7:00 P.M., with family present from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 PM, Sunday, May 25, 2025 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements. Services will be held at 5:00pm Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the Hansen Ranch (30412 S Effenbeck Road, Curtis, NE 69025)
Please feel free to dress casual in your favorite Hawaiian shirt to honor Mike.