Michael James Sauser

Michael “Mike” James Sauser was born on February 2, 1977 in Osmond, NE to his parents, James Joseph Sauser and Patty Jo Jordan (Bideaux). He passed away suddenly of a heart attack on January 8, 2025 at his home in Long Beach, CA.

Mike grew up in Schuyler, NE with his parents and brother Jimmy. He had many childhood memories of running the streets on big-wheels and bikes with his brother, cousin Andy and many friends. Growing up he played soccer, loved his Legos, built model cars, played with Hot wheels and watched the Dukes of Hazard. He attended school in Schuyler through his freshman year. He then moved to Lincoln, NE in 1992, where he attended one year at Southeast High School. He then moved to Long Beach, CA in 1993 to live with his father and family. He graduated from Millikan High School in 1995. In high school, Mike ran cross-country and some football plus enjoyed going camping with his family and friends.

After high school, Mike attended college and worked at Ralph’s Grocery Store. He then worked for Sports Nutrition Depot, where he was transferred from California to New York, NY. Mike loved living in New York and all it had to offer, but missing his family, he returned to California around 2002. He lived in Los Angeles and worked for Nutrition 101 and Advantage Fitness Products. Soon after returning to California, he began his own family and went to trade school to start his career in the Elevator Industry.

Mike worked as an Elevator Mechanic Foreman for the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 18 for 20 years. He worked for Mitsubishi and then most recently for Schindler. He was known for his dedication, hard work and loved his Union Brothers dearly.

Mike loved vintage cars and working on them, especially his 1970 Mustang and 1971 International Scout. He enjoyed going to local car shows and to the Barrett Jackson car show in Arizona with his family. One of Mike’s prized possessions was his Grandfather Cecil’s 1967 Honda CB450D Super Sport Motorcycle. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and he especially cherished the time he spent with his sons, Brody and Max. They would spend time together working on his cars, go-kart, playing board/card games, playing pool, going for bike rides, going to car shows, movies, baseball games, and traveling. Mike learned car and home repair skills from his father and he loved sharing this knowledge with his sons. Mike was everyone’s handyman and mechanic.

Mike first met his wife Abby in elementary school in Nebraska through Mike’s Cousin/Abby’s best friend Heather. They reconnected 25 years later in Long Beach and married in 2019. Together they have traveled all over the US, Mexico, and Hawaii. The would frequently go to visit family and friends in Nebraska where he loved spending time at his in-laws lake and enjoyed eating his mother’s homemade favorites. They loved their Long Beach community, going to Music in the Park, Movies on the Beach, swimming in their pool with friends, going to concerts, and going to antique mart/car shows. They enjoyed going to sporting events, especially Long Beach State Dirtbag baseball and Nebraska football games. They were self-proclaimed “foodies” and eating at their favorite local restaurants. Mike and Abby shared a warm home with Brody and Max plus their pets Ryder and Waffles.

Mike is survived by his wife Abby and his two sons, Broderick Michael (Brody) and Maxson James (Max). His mother Patty and her husband Matt Bideaux. His stepmother Sharon Sauser. His brothers James Sauser (Jamie) and Ethan Sauser. His sisters, Morgan (Bideaux) Montanez (Trey), Molly (Sauser) Phillips (Kyle), and Hannah (Sauser) Fausett (Devin). His nephews Beaux Michael and Baron Matthew Montanez and Camden James Phillips. His father and mother in-law David and Susan Oppliger, son and brother-in law Brant Oppliger. Plus, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mike was preceded in death by his father and best friend James Joseph Sauser, his grandparents Jeanette and Elno Jordan, Melody and James Sauser, and grandfather Cecil Bailey. His step-grandparents Alex and Mary Joan Bideaux and Martin and Susan Lee. And his dearest dog Frankie.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests purchasing a tree to be planted in Mike's honor https://livingmemorial.batesville.com/lm/

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401