Covenant minister Michael Blevins died Sunday, February 14. He was 66.
He was born November 18, 1954, in Topeka, Kansas, to Alfred and Phyllis Blevins.
Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in science and history from Kansas State University, a JD from Washburn University Law School, and master of divinity degree from North Park Theological Seminary.
Mike spent more than a decade practicing law in Salina, Kansas, including several years as a partner at Blevins, Thompson, and Heidrich, before leaving to study at Denver Seminary and then North Park.
He married Katie Hartzell on June 5, 1976.
He served Covenant churches in Salina; Decorah, Iowa; and Tigard, Oregon, before leaving congregational ministry to earn a master of laws degree from St. Thomas University College of Law. He founded and served as the former executive director of the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center, taught ethics and philosophy at Northeast Iowa Community College, and worked for several years as a barista at a local coffeehouse.
Mike was known for his human rights and climate change activism. When he suffered a massive stroke in 2018, the local community rallied around him and his family to help with medical bills.
Survivors include former spouse Katie Blevins of Chaska, Minnesota; daughters Amy Cameron (Eric); Kelly Skretta (fiancé William Smith, and former husband David); Wendy Gray (Richard); and six grandchildren.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a memorial celebration has not yet been scheduled.
Memorials may be sent to the American Stroke Foundation, the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center, the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Saving Innocence and The Climate Reality Project.
