Michael "Mike" Brotherton
July 6, 1955 - June 19, 2023
Michael “Mike” Ray Brotherton, 67, of North Liberty, Iowa, passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.
Mike was born July 6, 1955, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Doug & Diane (Bonacker) Brotherton. He graduated from Dubuque Hempstead High School and the University of Iowa with a degree in Social Work. In 1978 Mike joined the Iowa City Police Department and served the Iowa City community for 38 years, retiring in 2016 as the Lieutenant of Investigations. Mike enjoyed a second career in retirement as a swim coach for the Iowa Flyers Swim Club and as a swim instructor. Mike’s enthusiasm and passion for swimming touched the lives of hundreds of young swimmers and their families. In 2021 Mike was honored to be asked by Coach Long to assist in coaching the Iowa Hawkeye Swim team to finish out the season. Most recently, Mike had been working as a funeral assistant at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids for the last two years.
In addition to the numerous victims and community members Mike impacted as a police officer and the swimmers he influenced, Mike provided cherished memories to families for several years at Mike’s Christmas Tree farm where he grew and sold Christmas trees on his property in North Liberty. Mike found his heaven on earth in St. Germain, Wisconsin where he enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, and Northwoods happy hours. Mike’s happiest times were the trips he took with friends and family, most memorably the cross-country trip he took with his friends after high school and the Brotherton family diving adventures. Mike had his dad’s passion for flying and jumped at any opportunity to fly his Bellanca Super Viking. Mike was always busy with hobbies and projects, but never too busy to help when others needed him. Cancer took Mike too soon but not before he was able to enjoy Natalie’s children and cheer on Kirk at every swim meet his freshman year at college. Mike spent his final weeks at home where a steady stream of visitors laughed with him and hugged him goodbye. His swimmers from over the years sent him heartfelt cards that told him how important he had been to them. Mike left this life knowing he was loved.
Mike is survived by his wife, Denise; children, Natalie (Kam) Kranz of Scottsdale, AZ; Kirk Brotherton of North Liberty; Parents, Doug & Diane Brotherton of Dubuque; Sisters, Marty (Tom) Kieffer of Eden Prairie, MN; Karla (Greg) Dralle of Apple Valley, MN; Grandchildren, Kamryn, Kalray, Karter, & Kemp, and several nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Kirk Douglas Brotherton.
A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the North Liberty United Methodist Church, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 1:30 pm.
