Terribly sad news. I am informed that Mike Diedrich passed away last night, surrounded by his family. In 2024, Mike stepped down from serving in the Senate due to cancer.
Mike served in the South Dakota Legislature over 13 years during three separate stints; from 1987-1990 in the Senate, 1993-1994 in the Senate, from 2018-2020 in the House, moving to the Senate from 2021-2024.
Mike was in the legislature during my earliest years of working for the party, and he has always been just an absolute gentleman and statesman of the highest caliber. We are richer for his time with us and his service to the State of South Dakota.
Please keep his family in your prayers.
Sad loss for Connie, his boys, and his community. Mike was a solid Senator that was always working to be a part of solutions to problems. A terrible loss.
Mike was one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. Even in the face of terminal cancer, he always portrayed a positive outlook and was never without a smile. He attended the same church as i did and he always came over to give me a hug and talk a little politics. I will truly miss him. He was a great human being.
Sending prayers to Connie and family.
Mike was a gentleman who deeply cared about the delivery of healthcare to our communities.
His love and commitment of family was beautiful as well. While in DC for a conference, Mike invited me to join he and Connie for a baseball game. He was the classic host and doted on Connie throughout the game. His care of was beautiful and still makes me smile. Great man… he will be missed.
My sincere condolences to Connie and the family.
Mike was a sincere caring gentleman. As a legislator, I found him a tireless advocate for his constituents who went about his craft with grace and elegance.
Well done, Mike.
There is no finer individual in the world than Mike Diedrich!