Michael "Mike" Dean Gragert

Michael Dean “Mike” Gragert passed away peacefully on June 13, 2021, with family members at his bedside, at his home in Wichita, Kans., following a long battle with dementia. A proud Wichitan of 50 years, he was a well-respected attorney and a devoted father, dedicated to public service. Mike cherished his role as father, grandfather, godfather, and ông nội. In his words, to be a dad meant “showing up.” A motto he lived by coaching little league games, helping with homework, sitting through award and graduation ceremonies, hosting Easter and Christmas parties, and carting far too many kids to church in his station wagon. Mike never left home without his signature fedora, which-despite his countless lectures to “watch my hat”-the kids invariably smooshed. Examples abound of his unwavering loyalty and support for loved ones, such as taking each goddaughter shopping for her graduation dress to celebrate and honor her achievements. He was faithful in all he did for as long as his health allowed. Mike will be remembered for leading his life with integrity. Never a victim of antipathy, his morals and determination to leave his community better than he found it influenced every facet of his life. Mike had a long history of civic involvement, including service on the Wichita Park Board, the Wichita Board of Education, and the Kansas State Board of Education. During his time on the USD 259 Board, he oversaw Wichita’s conversion from junior high to middle school programs and the establishment of magnet schools. He was also a founding member of the Midtown Citizens’ Association, which was formed to preserve and promote the historic Midtown neighborhood in Wichita. He served his profession as a member of the Wichita, Kansas, and American Bar Associations. He also taught Sunday School at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for over 20 years and served for a period as President of the Church Council. Mike was driven and competitive, at work and beyond; each spring he and his father would compete to grow the biggest and best tomato. It was only later in life that he admitted that he did not even like tomatoes. Each Christmas he organized his fellow church members, co-workers, and friends to serve as Salvation Army Bell Ringers, challenging them to exceed the dollars they had generated the previous year. Mike’s values originated from his childhood. He was born on January 17, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo., to Elmer Otto and Margie Dean Gragert. Mike was six months old before he met his father, who was serving overseas in World War II. After the war, the family moved to Richland, Wash., and six years later, returned to the Kansas City area. They settled in Grandview, Mo., where Mike would complete his primary and secondary education, be confirmed in the Lutheran Church, attain Eagle rank in Boy Scouts, become active in local and state politics, excel in debate, and finish among the top of his graduating class at Grandview High School in 1963. Mike continued his education at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kans., earning a BA in 1967. At Bethany, he majored in history and political science, was editor of the school newspaper, continued his involvement in politics, and served as a lay minister in a local Lutheran synod. He finished college a semester early and was accepted to study law at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., earning a JD in 1970. While at Georgetown, he served as a research assistant for constitutional law professor Chester Antieau and as editor-in-chief of the student publications, the Georgetown Law Weekly and Res Ipsa Loquitur. He also devoted himself to betterment of the institution and student body through his activism and involvement in school affairs, as demonstrated through editorials, petitions, demonstrations, and more. His parents’ open arms of inclusivity influenced Mike to embrace the same in his legal work. He returned to Kansas to practice law and accepted a position with Kansas Legal Services (a.k.a., Legal Aid) in Wichita. He represented clients in some of the most significant social justice matters of the time. He eventually transitioned into private practice. In his more than forty years of practicing law, he focused on immigration work and commercial matters. He retired from Gragert, Hiebert & Gray in August 2011. Mike also had a passion for immigration issues, dedicating much of his time to helping post-war immigrants from Vietnam achieve legal status and get settled in the United States. Mike was a long-time member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and served as an officer in the Kansas chapter. Mike is survived by daughters Amy Riedel (John), Sarah Gragert (Eduardo Lopez), Rachel Bradley (Scott), son Daniel Gragert (Kamilla Gazieva), stepsons Michel Potts (Danielle), Ryan Potts, and grandchildren Jacqueline and Josephine Riedel; Owen, Wyatt, Winston, and Evelyn Bradley; Dean Gragert; and Ripleigh and Brady Potts. He is also survived by his brother Steven (Helen); niece Stacy Tatkenhorst (Jason) and nephew Greg Ferguson (Angela); brother-in-law Gene Ferguson; aunt Irene Gragert Goldsmith; and numerous cousins. Mike was preceded in death by his cherished wife Andrea Su “Andi”, his parents, and his sister, Patti Ferguson. He is remembered, with love, by Tuyet, Trang, Tuan, Tu, Vivian, Vincent, and Thao Pham (and their families), Anh, Hung, Ha, Thuy, and Tony Nguyen (and their families), and his devoted caregiver, Socorro Dillon. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 24, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1101 N. River Blvd., Wichita, followed by a light lunch at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (http://www.gloriadeiwichita.com) or to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (https://www.lirs.org), PO Box 17467, Baltimore, MD 21297-1467. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.