Michael Mann, 39, of Ankeny, IA, passed away on July 2, 2022, surrounded by his family at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

He was born in Plantation, Florida, on March 30, 1983, son of Eric Mann and Maryann Crider. Michael spent his younger years between Ohio and Florida where he developed his love for the outdoors, science, space, comic books, and superhero's. After high school he started his college career at a Community College and graduated from Kent State University with an Organismal Biology degree. He always said his dream job was to become a park ranger at a national park. After graduation he lived in Florida, Nebraska, Massachusetts, and Washington, mostly for work with the USDA. He fell in love with Washington and hoped, one day, to call it home.

In the summer of 2015, while living in Florida, he volunteered to take an assignment that brought him to Iowa to help with the Avian Flu outbreak. That is where, by chance, he met his wife, Courtney. Over the course of the summer they fell in love, and she managed to convince him to move to Iowa in the middle of winter to start their life together. They knew they wanted to be parents more than anything. Michael was overjoyed when he learned they were going to have a little boy, Max, in September of 2016. Their second son, Sam was born in May of 2018. And Charlie was born in December of 2019. To watch Michael with his boys, was a sight to see. He devoted his whole being to his son's well-being. After the passing of their son Sam in 2018, without hesitation, Michael volunteered to be a stay-at-home dad to make sure his sons were protected and given the best care. He gave his boys all of his energy, patience, love, kindness, fun, and knowledge. Michael was so proud to be their father and it was so obvious just by the way he looked at them.

Michael would describe himself as a hippie, nerdy, nice guy. He was all of those things and so much more. In his death, he became a real-life superhero by giving the gift of life as an organ donor. His boys will know how much he cared about helping others and to show kindness to others when able. To say Michael will be missed is a huge understatement. We will miss his sweet nature, love of story-telling, kind eyes, love of Halloween, group hugs, ability to explain math and science in a way those lacking in that knowledge could understand, witty and inappropriate sense of humor, but most of all his love. Because he loved big. If you were lucky enough to feel it, you are a better person for it.

Michael is proceeded in death by his father, Eric, and his son, Sam. He is survived by his wife, Courtney, and their boys, Max and Charlie; mom Maryann Crider and step father Condy Crider; in-laws Jim and Ginny Arthur; Jeff Arthur, Kourtney Kalinoski, and Jack Arthur, and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends.

All are welcome, as we celebrate Michael's life on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Moore Park, 3050 Northridge Parkway, Ames, IA from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A service will take place at noon. We will have food and chocolate cake (Michael's favorite) and there is plenty to keep kids entertained. Those who knew Michael well, knew he would be in shorts and a tank top even if it was only 40 degrees. Feel free to dress the same as he would.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Michael to the National Park Service, the Michael Mann Memorial GoFundMe, or directly to the family. We thank you for the outpouring of love and support we have received.