Mike Kocabinski
Mike E. Kocabinski, 72, of Aberdeen, SD, died Friday, April 3, 2026, at Wheatcrest Hills Healthcare Center in Britton, SD.
Michael (Mike) Eugene Kocabinski was born on September 23, 1953 in Chicago, IL. In the early 1960's he and his mother Mae moved to Lake City, SD. He attended school in grades 2-5 in Lake City. The family moved to Oakes, ND where he attended school in the 6th grade. In 1965 they moved to Britton, SD where he attended junior high and high school. He graduated from Britton High School in 1971. That fall, he went to Aberdeen and studied at Northern State University.
On November 12, 1971, he met the love of his life, Cindy Kringen through her cousin, John Tuthill, who he had met on a Boy Scout canoe trip. In December 1972 he enlisted in the US Air Force. After basic training and tech school, he was assigned to the 786 Radar Squadron in Minot, ND. He and Cindy were married on October 7, 1973 in Aberdeen.
Their family was made complete with the birth of their son, Chad Michael, on October 29, 1975. In 1976 the family moved to Aberdeen following Mike's discharge from the Air Force. He worked for the Aberdeen Public Schools as a custodian for 25 years, from 1977 through 2002. Due to several medical conditions, he was placed on permanent disability. Chad passed away from cancer on December 23, 2000.
Mike and Cindy enjoyed many trips together, including several trips to Wrigley Field and Lambeau Field, three trips to Branson, MO, two cruises, one to Alaska and the other along the New England coast. The biggest thrill of all was going to New Haven, CT in 1995 to watch Chad compete in the Special Olympics World Games where he received two medals, one gold and one bronze.
Mike had a great singing voice and enjoyed using that talent in his high school years and beyond. Mike was a very proud Air Force veteran and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He enjoyed doing several plays, especially musicals, with the Aberdeen Community Theatre. He was a member of North Highland United Methodist Church, although he was always a "Lutheran at Heart."
On January 9, 2024, Mike suffered a severe fall and had emergency surgery for a brain bleed, resulting in him going to Wheatcrest Hills Healthcare Center.
Mike is survived by his wife, Cindy, cousins Ron (JoAnn) Sckerl of Brookings, SD and Mary Lee (Tom) Melius of Dalton, MN, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Yvette (Rich) Hines of Huron, SD, and Sonja (Steve) Greiner of Yuma, AZ, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Brian (Joyce) Kringen of Rapid City, SD, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mae Kocabinski, his grandparents, Silas and Ruth Swanson, his aunt and uncle, Marjorie and Walter Sckerl, niece Alison Greiner, and his beloved son, Chad.