Michael Duane Hutchens

Michael Duane Hutchens, age 64, of Eden Prairie, MN passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on May 26th, 2024. On January 13th, 1960, the world became a better place when Michael Duane Hutchens was born in Chicago, IL. Mike was the 2nd of 6 children born to Deborah and Duane Hutchens, and many said he was by far the spunkiest and most adventurous. He carried lifelong memories of family trips in the station wagon, as well as the many flights that the family took to far off places. He was educated in the Catholic School systems in Chicago and Minneapolis, and graduated in 1978 from Holy Angels Academy in Richfield. While in High School, Mike was Captain of the wrestling team and Student Body President. He attended St. Thomas University and received his BA in International Business, and then entered law school at Hamline University. While in law school, Mike was a baggage handler in the summers. He was appropriately nick-named Baby Hutch by his coworkers and took pride in the fact that he followed his father, Big Hutch, and older brother, Little Hutch, to Republic Airlines. In 1983 Mike married Christie Simons, and to this union, three children were born. Camille, Gwen and Maxwell were his pride and joy. Every spare second that he had was spent with them in the great outdoors, hiking, biking, camping, sledding, and exploring. They loved their trips to Cable, WI and cherish the memories of those times. Mike joined the Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P. law firm in 1986 and quickly became a skilled and highly sought-after trial lawyer. Over nearly 40 years, Mike dedicated his practice to the defense of clients in high-stakes civil litigation involving products liability, construction liability, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and catastrophic injuries. Mike tried more than 125 cases to juries in federal and state courts nationwide. He was renowned around the country as both a formidable opponent and an affable, easy-going friend. Mike was a long-time firm leader, whether formally as Chair of the firm's Construction Law group and member of its Management Committee, or informally as a mentor to countless young lawyers who learned to try cases while working with him. Mike's professional accolades were many. He is an inductee in both the International Society of Barristers and the International Association of Defense Counsel. Mike's peers selected him more than 20 times for inclusion on the Minnesota Super Lawyers® list, and Best Lawyers in America® honored him more than 15 times, including as its 2016 Defendants' Product Liability Lawyer of the Year. He was also repeatedly recognized as Leading Lawyer for Business: Construction. Mike is widely regarded as one of Minnesota's finest trial lawyers. In 2004 Mike married Jane Hauan and they joined 5 children together to create the most amazing, crazy and loving family. Mike and Jane never referred to each other's children as step children, but simply as OUR children. Nick and Hannah were loved by Mike as his own and likewise, Camille, Gwen and Maxwell are loved by Jane. The kids' ages were such that at one point there were 5 teenagers in the house. Mike loved the busyness of the family and he was the one that everyone went to when in need because he could never say no. There were many family vacations. They ventured up North, to Mexico, to Europe and Asia. There were yearly ski trips to Vail for the boys and NYC trips for the girls. Travel was an important part of Mike's life from the time he was a child and that passion carried on throughout his lifetime. It was important for him to give his family the gift of travel and he thought it was one of the best forms of education for them. As a successful trial attorney, he had the gift of gab. He was the most prolific and imaginative story teller and could capture an audience everywhere he went. He was a hero to many and loved mentoring young people, whether associates at the firm or friends of his kids. He never missed an opportunity to celebrate. He was adamant that food expiration dates were only a suggestion, not a rule. His ability to weave rap lyrics into everyday conversations was unmatched. His soul was of the most generous; he never passed a person in need that he did not stop to help. He lived life to the fullest every single day. He taught us all to do the same. Our hearts are broken and we are saddened by his passing, but he taught all of us how to live life large, how to be a better person, and how to seize the day. We are proud to carry on his legacy of love. In true Mike fashion, he gave the gift of sight to two strangers. Imagine seeing the world through his eyes! Mike is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Camille (Nik) of Seattle, WA, Gwendolyn (Eric) of West Hollywood, CA, Maxwell (Lili) of Minnetonka, MN, Nicholas Hauan (Cara) of Glenview, IL and Hannah Hauan (Taylor) of Tempe, AZ. He was the proud grandfather to Remy Deborah Dechery, Penelope Jane Hauan, and June Rose Hutchens. He was excited for the arrival of his fourth Granddaughter in August. Mike is also survived by his father, Duane Hutchens; siblings, Mark (Sue), Kevin (Julie), Phillip (Sam), Arianne (Doug), and David (Cathy); as well as many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his loving mother, Deborah (Hoffman) Hutchens as well as his grandparents. The family wishes to thank the staff at Methodist Hospital, Park Nicollet Hospice, as well as his caregivers, Cathy, Shaya and Alfreda, for the kind and devoted care that was given to him. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21st from 4-7 PM at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 W 50th St, Edina, MN 55436. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22nd at 11 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at the Basilica of Saint Mary, 1600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403. For those who are unable to attend in person, a livestream of the funeral service will be available at: https://mary.online.church/ Memorial donations preferred to: https://www.theretreat.org/donate

Tributes

Michael Duane Hutchens

January 13, 1960 - May 26, 2024

Tributes

Michael Duane Hutchens

January 13, 1960 - May 26, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203