With great heart break we announce the death of Michael Steven Coonen on February 20th 2025 after a swift illness. Michael was born of Lester and Virginia(Goetzman) in Detroit MI 69 years ago, the 8th of 11 children. He deeply loved his family, in his own strange way. Michael attended the University of Arizona to earn a Bachelor of Architecture, then the University of Illinois at Urbana to obtain a Master of Architecture and Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Management while being terrorized by his teenage daughter. His son followed his steps in higher education to become a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Michael loved working for Marshall Erdman, and teaching at ITT Tec in Madison WI where he was Lead Instructor and Chairman for their School of Design. He left many who loved him in Wisconsin to be close to his children and grand children in Montana. Michael called himself a retired teacher, while building two homes with stubborn independence. He would disappear with his kayak, or the isles of Lowes depending on the weather. His love was given in conversations about the birds, what grows, on driving routes, tire traction, and lastly the angle of repose. "Your dad was unlike anyone I've ever met; a unicorn among average mortals." LC A gathering will be held at the last house Micheal built on the full moon in April 2025.