Michael Quigley Kutscheid Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Kutscheid, Michael Quigley In what can only be described as a tragedy, as he left us too soon, Michael Quigley Kutscheid died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Michael was born on December 19, 1953 in Duluth, MN to John and Arlene Kutscheid. He was raised in Duluth with a positive view of the world and a knack for connecting with everyone in it. He graduated from Duluth East High School with a GPA of almost 4.0, was awarded a Hunt Scholarship for academic excellence and was likely the greatest "bag boy and stockman" to ever work at the Woodland Piggly Wiggly (tied with his younger brother). If not the "greatest" he was definitely the most well liked. After high school, he attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where he majored in political science, taking a pre-law curriculum. It was there that he met his soon to be wife, Jane Benson. They married in 1976 and later divorced. After UMD, Michael went on to law school at William Mitchell College of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate. During law school he worked at Chi Chi's/Maximillians, a private night club owned by Green Bay Packer, Max McGee. He was quickly promoted from waiter to the General Manager of Maximillians. That was the start of his long career in the hospitality/entertainment industry. Despite his friendship with Max McGee he never lost his lifelong loyalty to the Minnesota Vikings. Although he received his law degree, Michael never practiced law (far too boring). For the next 40 years, he followed his passion working at Le Cafe' Nicollet, Pronto Ristorante, Prima Vera/La Tortue, The Whitney Hotel, The Living Room, KaPoochi's, Oceanaire Seafood and Martini Blu where he and his restaurants were give numerous awards such as "Twin Cities Best Maitre de", "Silver Spoon", "Best New Restaurant", "Restaurant of the Year", "America's Top 25 (Conde Nast Traveler), and many others. Despite the awards, Michael loved the people he worked with and the customers who came to his restaurants. He seemed to know everyone and everything about them; he was the friend who asked how you were and really listened and cared. He insisted on being present and would do anything for you." In a "Twin Cities" magazine article about The Living Room restaurant entitled "Michael Q. Kutscheid: The Entertainer", the writer said "Kutscheid can simultaneously charm your grandmother, whip up a Caesar salad table side and keep up a non-stop, nonsensical repartee while looking cool in a three piece tuxedo"! Although Michael was a bit of an entertainer, his goal was always to make people feel good and brighten their day. In 2007, he and friends Roger and Naomi Williamson established the Sanctuary, a place whose significance for him is beyond description, and would be Michael's final stop. It was there that he seemed the most content, greeting people, holding court, telling stories (and sometimes lies about the Vikings coming season) to customers, staff, and anyone willing to listen. He is survived by his brothers John and Steve (Kim), sister Patricia (Deen) Dodge and numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In remembrance of Michael, make a donation to someone in need, give your server a generous tip, adopt a rabbit, call an old friend for no reason other than to ask how they're doing, ignore some good advice, watch a Vikings game (all four quarters) or "pay it forward". As Michael would say, "See you on the other side".

Tributes

Michael Quigley Kutscheid

December 19, 1953 - July 15, 2022

Tributes

Michael Quigley Kutscheid

December 19, 1953 - July 15, 2022

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