Schliesman, Myron “Mike”

Myron Eugene Schliesman, 68, of Rochester, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. Mike was born Dec. 11, 1944, in Beardsley, Minnesota to Raymond and Etta (LaCroix) Schliesman. Mike was proud of his Native American heritage and was a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. He graduated from Minnetonka High School. Mike joined the U.S. Army in September, 1962 and was honorably discharged in September, 1965. He then attended the Minneapolis Police Academy and was the first Native American to be employed by the Minneapolis Police Department beginning his career in service to the neighborhoods of the 3rd and 5th Precincts. Through his career, he served on the first Minnesota Swat Team, the Departments of Homicide, Narcotics, Child Sex Crimes and Internal Affairs. He received the Medal of Valor along with many other awards. Mike’s career as a Minneapolis police officer was his dream job and he stated often, “There was not a day I didn’t enjoy going to work.” Mike was also active in and thoroughly enjoyed playing the trumpet for the Minneapolis Police Band and the Minneapolis Police Swing band. Mike retired from the Police Department in 1995. He is survived by his children, Ronald (Barb Clifton) Schliesman of Montrose, Nicholas (Robin Putnam) Schliesman of Burnsville and Stephanie (Matthew Reese) Schliesman of Duluth; six grandchildren; sister, Luella Tesch of Milbank, S.D. and his fiancée, Betty Tesch of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Raymond Schliesman and sister, Delores Heitela.