Michael “Mike” R. Courtney, age 59, of Leighton, IA, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella, IA.
Mike was born on March 24, 1967, at the Albia Hospital to Virgil Sr. and Ruth Ann (Harnden) Courtney. He grew up in Albia and graduated from the Albia High School with the Class of 1985. Following high school, Mike attended Job Corps where he received career training. On January 18, 1992, he was united in marriage to Tammy Woodhouse and to this union, 2 children were born, Britt and Joel.
Mike dedicated 31 years of his working career to Pepsi before later working at The Well, a thrift store in Pella.
Mike enjoyed staying active and being outdoors. During his high school years, he wrestled and ran track, and throughout his life continued to enjoy fishing, golfing, and disc golfing. He was a true movie buff, especially enjoying action and horror films. Mike was an avid Raiders fan and loved watching pro wrestling. He was proudly the first to hold the Central Empire wrestling belt. He also enjoyed NASCAR and sprint car racing, with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Brian Brown as his favorite drivers. He also had a love for video games, particularly Call of Duty, Mercanary, and hunting and fishing games. Above all else, Mike loved spending time with his family.
Mike is survived by his 2 children, Britt (Josh) Klein and Joel Courtney; his ex-wife, Tammy Courtney; 2 grandchildren, Chileigh White and Bjorn Klein; a brother, Virgil (Dawn) Courtney; and a sister, Sheila (Jim) Wilfawn. Mike is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Sr. and Ruth Courtney; a sister, Alice; a nephew, Cory; aunts, Erma Allison, Mary Parcel and Lucille Sleeth; and uncles, Chester, Tommy, Elmer, and Walter Harnden.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Mike’s family present to greet family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. A private family burial will be held at Oak View Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established to the family.
