Michael Dennis Kobold

Michael Dennis Kobold was born April 16,1952, to Clifford Johnson and Lenore Kobold Johnson in Billings, Montana. Michael grew up in rural Montana near Laurel, MT with six other siblings. He spent his summers on the Montana ranch of his grandparents, Elmer “Slim” and Rose Kobold.

Michael attended Canyon Creek Elementary and graduated from Central Catholic High School in Billings, MT. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT, and spent a year at the Chicago Art Institute learning many of the skills and craftmanship that he would apply to hundreds of projects later in life.

After high school, Michael traveled to Wisconsin and worked in the fields for Jolly Green Giant, utilizing many of the farming skills he learned growing up in Montana. He worked many diverse jobs after high school while earning his college degree; the Burlington Northern Railroad, the Cenex Refinery in Laurel, Montana, and applied his farming and ranching skills at a chicken farm in Huntley, Montana. His mother Lenore insisted he remove his clothing in the garage before coming in the house after his chicken farm work, and it must be said his siblings agreed that was the best route to take.

Michael ran his own construction business, 2 Guys & A Gopher, until his heart was called back to his true love, that of the art world. He became the Curator of the University of Montana’s Art Gallery, overseeing many projects and shows while he added to his education, taking more art classes at U of M.

Michael’s wandering heart took him to Seattle where he cameraded with other artistic communities while working as a CNA.

In 1991, due to his rugged Montana looks, Michael was chosen as an extra in Ron Howard’s classic film “Far & Away”, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, filmed largely in Michael’s hometown of Billings, Montana. When the film was released in theaters in June of 1992, his family and friends were delighted to see his face fill up the big screen in one of the epic fight scenes in the movie. He was also chosen as an extra in the film “Little Big Man” starring Dustin Hoffman.

Early in 1992, Michael visited his brother Bill and sister Rocci in Boise, Idaho, and fell in love with Boise and it’s many artistic opportunities. He moved to Boise shortly thereafter and put down permanent roots there. Boise welcomed Michael with open arms, where he opened his art and art restoration studio, Raggleday Studios.

Out of his many artistic endeavors and achievements, probably his most eloquent and enduring project was the restoration in 2005 of the eagle that adorns the top of Idaho’s Capitol. Fondly named “Oscar” by Michael, after the Academy Awards’ Oscar (and a well-loved stuffed pig from childhood), the 93-year-old eagle was covered with many layers of paint and grime that had to be tediously removed. For months every morning, Michael climbed 208 feet of winding narrow stairs within the Capitol Dome, He then strapped in to climb an additional 40-foot ladder that was perched on a foot-and-a-half wide ledge in order to reach “Oscar”, who sat on the very top of the Capitol Dome. After painstakingly removing all the paint and grime, he applied layer after layer of very thin gold leaf, a skill he learned while attending the Chicago Art Institute. The work was hard and not without risk; winds at the top of the Capitol could be ferocious and cold, often blowing apart the seams of the tent he had wrapped around the scaffolding, all while the thin gold leaf tended to fly like a feather with any kind of draft.

“Oscar” was unveiled to the public in the summer of 2005, and shines as an enduring legacy over the City of Boise and Idaho’s Capitol, a testament to Michael’s artistic abilities and his Montana and Idaho toughness and grit. “It’s something I’ll be proud of as long as I’m alive”, Michael told the Idaho Stateman’s Tim Woodward in August 2005. “And it’ll last long after I’m dead.”

Just before he passed, Michael’s care team asked him: "Michael, do you know what is happening?" Michael responded; "Yes, I know, I am dying". "Are you afraid?”, they asked. Michael: "No, not at all. I've seen where I am going, and it is beautiful".

Michael passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026 with his cherished siblings and family by his side, praying and assisting him on to his next chapter. While his spirit was unbent, his body was tired and broken, and he has been called home to the Heavens

Michael was preceded in death by his sister Michelle and parents Lenore Kobold Johnson and Clifford Johnson. He is survived by his siblings, Rocci Johnson (Dick Dufenhorst), Mark Johnson (Rita), Bill Johnson (Jan), Patrice O’Loughlin (Ray), Marilinn Roseborough (Mike), Denise Johnson Smith (Gordon), his adopted son Avery Rohn, his adored nieces and nephews, and his many treasured cousins.

A vigil will be held on Sunday March 1 at 6pm at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Home at 5400 Fairview Ave in Boise, with a celebratory Mass to be held the following day, Monday March 2 at 11am at St Mary’s Church, 2612 W State St in Boise.

The family would like to thank St Al’s care team and doctors, along with Timber Springs Rehab Facility in Boise for their tender care of Michael during his health difficulties.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Surel’s Place, 211 E. 33rd St in Garden City, ID. Surel’s Place is an integral part of Idaho’s art community, offering free and low-cost artistic workshops, readings, performances, and exhibits each month serving students, up-and-coming and established artists and residents in Idaho as well as 30+ states and places across the globe as needs and possibilities arise. https://surelsplace.org/surel-and-surels-place/#