Michael Zepeda

Minot

Michael Zepeda, Sr., 51, Minot, passed away from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

Michael Charles Zepeda Sr. was born on Jan. 19, 1974, to Icidoro Zepeda Sr. and Grace Griego, in Indio, Calif. His grandmother Maria Ramona played an important role in his upbringing in Coachella. He graduated from Indio High School in 1992.

Following high school, Mike played football for College of the Desert before transferring to Minot State University where he continued his career with the Beavers. While attending MSU, Mike was blessed with his first son, Dominic, and his second son, Trey.

He met the love of his life, Mindy Blessum, in May of 1997 in the MSU weightroom. Mike worked in local restaurants until he and Mindy moved to California in 1999.

While in California he worked for bars, nightclubs, and in private security. Mike and Mindy stayed in California for two years before moving back to Minot.

Mike and Mindy were married on May 22, 2004. They were blessed with three children, Maya, Maria, and Michael Jr.

Mike took great pride in every musical, athletic, and academic accomplishment they achieved. He was their loudest cheerleader. The family loved spending time together with their pets and took many road trips back home to California.

Mike worked for various restaurants in Minot before his dream of opening his own restaurant became a reality.

In 2022, Mike and Mindy opened their food truck, Maria Ramona’s Mexican Food. A year and a half later, they opened Maria Ramona’s Mexican Food Restaurant. Mike put his heart and soul into the food he made using his grandma’s recipes.

Mike enjoyed lifting weights and cooking. He cherished the friendships made in the weightroom, the restaurant, and in his prayer group. Mike made a tremendous impact on our community by generously donating Maria Ramona’s food to families in need and mentoring young athletes in the weightroom, #OLDMANSTRONG.

His loving family includes: wife of 21 years, Mindy; children, Dominic (Tori) Martens, Trey Jay, Maya (Isaac Heizelman) Zepeda, Maria (Landon Rushing) Zepeda, Michael Zepeda Jr.; grandchildren; Brooks and Tate Martens, Saint Jay; mother, Grace Griego; brother, Icidoro Alfredo (Adriana) Zepeda; sister, Jihan (Mario) Vasquez; brother-in-law, Mike (Cherie) Blessum; lifelong friends, Matt & Felipa Brockman; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Icidoro Sr.; his grandparents; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Funeral: Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot.

Visitation: Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. A fund to help with expenses has been set up at Town & Country Credit Union.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church website: https://www.cornerstoneminot.com/watch

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News July 1, 2025.