John M. (Mike) Von Colln died Monday, September 15, 2025, at Monument Hospital. Mike was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on April 11, 1951, the second child of six to Bernard and Mary (Conover) Von Colln.
Mike graduated from Rapid City High School in 1969. He began working at Beka Ditching Company while in high school starting full time as a laborer/machine operator the day he graduated, retiring as a Superintendent in 2014.
He married Rhonda (Caldwell) Von Colln on May 1, 1987, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Mike partnered with Jack Comer (driver) and younger brother Bob racing sprint cars traveling across the Midwest to Arizona, Knoxville IA, and Minnesota to name a few. Later in life Mike and Rhonda spent many summers helping and supporting brother Bob with niece Kenzie go-karting all across South Dakota. He also loved the outdoors, hunting, camping, and riding many trails of the Black Hills in his ATV with family and friends. Mike played pool in local leagues for many years.
In his retirement, he enjoyed restoring his 51 Chevy pickup, 1977 Chevy pickup and many other projects in his garage. He also enjoyed welding and making above ground vegetable garden beds for Rhonda. The two of them made many horseshoe art objects for family through the years. Mike began teaching his great nephew, Taven Hauf to weld, whose profession is now welding.
Family was the most important thing to Mike, who was always there to help. Mike loved his family deeply and shared his humor with all.
Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rhonda Von Colln. Siblings Linda Roberts (Rick Hein) Frisco, CO; Bob Von Colln (Tammy) Rapid City, SD; Theresa Von Colln, Kansas City, MO. Nephew Jason (Christy) Roberts, Frisco, CO; Niece Cynthia Hauf (Terry) Rapid City, SD; Niece Kenzie (Kinser) Flanary (Corbin) Fort Collins, CO. Great Nephews Taven Hauf (Kindal) Rapid City, SD; Jagger and Jaxx Roberts, Frisco, CO. Great Niece Addilynn Hagen, Rapid City, SD. Brother and Sister-in-law Reed and Janet Caldwell, Gilbert, AZ; Nieces Samantha Caldwell, Gilbert, AZ, Danielle Cross (Garrett) and children Brixton, Ophelia, and baby boy Cross, Pheonix, AZ.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Thomas (Tommy) Von Colln and Cathleen (Cathy) Von Colln.
Honoring Mike’s wishes, private cremation will take place and no public funeral services will be held.