Mike Ameling in memoriam

Of all the comrades that ere I had,
         they're sorry for my going away,
And of all the sweethearts that ere I had,
         they wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot
         that I should rise while you should not,
I will gently rise and I'll softly call,
        "Goodnight and joy be with you all!"
                                     -"The Parting Glass", traditional

In his own words he was:
"Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands"

Amongst his many skills and interests, Mike as an accomplished blacksmith and historian of fire-making implements from Roman times forward. He taught many workshops in the forge for NAVC.

His reproductions are owned by interpreters and reenactors across the continent and around the world.

Look for his article on firesteels and more of pictures of his work at these URLs:

http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/firefromsteel/Gallery/index.html

http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/firefromsteel/

Below are just a few of his works.

From the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home obituary:

Michael Ameling, age 56, of Dorchester, Iowa, died on Friday, October 23, 2009, at his home, from natural causes. Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to your favorite charity.

Michael Joseph Ameling was born on August 26, 1953, the son of Felix and Colette (Langreck) Ameling in West Union, Iowa. Michael attended grade school in Waucoma and Festina. He graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1971. He attended Area One in Calmar and Loras College in Dubuque. He graduated from Upper Iowa College in Fayette in 1975. He worked for two years in Cedar Rapids and then for twenty-five years, at Luther College in Decorah, retiring in 2002. Michael's passion was portraying himself as a Blacksmith of the 1880's and as a Buckskinner. He also enjoyed being part of 1920's Gangster reenactments. Mike was very creative in what he made, which included hand-made carpet bags and forged iron work. Mike also enjoyed running his online business and was known as "Mikey of da Nort" and "that grumpy old blacksmith up in the hinterlands".

Michael is survived by his parents: Felix and Colette Ameling, West Union, IA. One sister: Pat (Dick) Raddatz, Cedar Rapids, IA. Three brothers: Dave (Dianne) Ameling, Ossian, IA; Dan (Sayonara) Ameling, Pineville, MO; and Tom (Laura) Ameling, Clermont, IA. Eight nieces and nephews: Chad Raddatz, Phillip Ameling, Greg Ameling, Danielle Ameling, Jonathan Ameling, Alisha (Juan) Arias, Josh Christen and Nichole Hernandez. Three great nieces and nephews: Jordan, Kaylee & Ava, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Michael was preceded in death by his brother: Carl Raymond Ameling in 1972. His grandparents: John & Catherine Langreck and John & Mathilda Ameling.