Michael Francis Aulie

Michael Francis Aulie (age 76) died Thursday, October 8, 2026.

He was born January 29, 1950, in Crosby, MN, the first child of Berger and Maryon (Cizek) Aulie. He graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1968 and pursued degrees in photojournalism and political science at Brainerd State Junior College and St. Cloud State University. He began working at both The Brainerd Daily Dispatch and Sothers Studio in Brainerd while still in high school and throughout college.

In 1973, he became manager and full-time photographer at Sothers, purchased the studio in 1990, and continued a rewarding career that lasted until he closed the studio and retired in 2024.

Mike won numerous state, regional, and national awards for his photography and service to the MPPA (state), NLPPA (regional), and PPA (national) photography associations. He was a past president of the MPPA and NLPPA and served as a state council representative to the PPA. He earned Master, Craftsman degrees and Certification from the PPA and was a two-time recipient of PPA’s National Award, the association’s highest award for service to the photography profession,

Mike believed in serving and giving back to his community. He served on the Deerwood Planning and Zoning Commission for 12 years, then as Mayor of Deerwood for 14 years, from 1998 to 2022. He was elected back on the city council in 2024 by write-in votes. He was a long-time member and past president of the Brainerd Rotary Club. He also served as a board member of the Crow Wing County Housing and Redevelopment Authority for 12 years and was an active member of the Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network. In 2024, he was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Faith and family were important to Mike. He was a former trustee of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where he also served as a lector, lay minister, member of the Knights of Columbus, the men’s choir, and various committees. He felt blessed to have met the love of his life at church, Roxanne LaSart, whom he married in 1979, and to have six children who all live in the area.

Mike is survived by his wife of 47 years, Roxanne; six children: Nicole (Matt) Bugnacki of Ironton, Catherine (Richard) Lacerte of Brainerd, and James, David, Jessica (Andrew) Kayfes, and Francis, all of Deerwood; 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by siblings Stephen (Susan) of Duluth, Barb Neprud of Crosby, Mark (Roxann) of Mountain Iron, and Mary (Sylvester) Stegora of Brainerd, as well asnumerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Berger and Maryon Aulie, and one granddaughter, Maria Bugnacki.

Mike found joy in spending time with family and grandchildren, exploring family and local history, camping, reading, writing, and outdoor cooking. He especially valued opportunities to give back to his community and fellow photographers. Mike believed deeply in giving back because so many others had invested in his life. To him, the true measure of success was whether he had helped others and left the world a little better than he found it.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Crosby. A Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with a rosary at 9:30 a.m.., visitation will continue until the time of services.

A benefit celebrating Mike’s life and legacy will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 3–6 p.m. at the Deerwood Auditorium. Proceeds will help ease the financial burdens of Mike’s battle with ALS and establish a scholarship in his honor to carry forward his legacy of generosity and service.