Artist. Photographer. Layman. Michael Peter Riedel, named after St. Michael: The Archangel and last name is pronounced: Rye-Dell. He came into the world on August 25th, 1982, by the Rims during Billings, Montana's centennial celebration to proud pious parents; Peter and LaRayne Riedel. Michael has two brothers and two sisters. He has Irish, British, and German ancestries. Michael was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church on September 18th, 1982, received his first Holy Communion on April 26th, 1991 and confirmed on May 6th, 1992. During his youth, he liked to play legos and video games, but his favorite video game was the Legend of Zelda Series. In 1991, he was diagnosed with O.C.D., Asperger's and High-End Autism. He mostly went to the Public Schools during his youth and was a quiet and shy boy, not playing much with the other kids in grade school, he did a lot of role playing games and imagining things by himself. He also likes listening to (most of) the oldies, disco, new wave and early 1990's country. Tragically, on February 12th, 1999, Michael's crush and girl-friend, Heather D. Hogan, was killed in a vehicle accident just outside of Billings. He visits her grave often, offering prayers for her soul.

 

Michael Graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 2001. Michael loves animals, fantasy, nature & architecture. He worked various jobs that included Janitorial for COR Enterprises in the 2000’s and 2010’s.  2012 was the year of his conversion, he began to pray the rosary everyday, tries to go to daily mass and confession as often as he can and in May of 2012, Michael found an order called the Catholic Dragons, he also joined the Knights of Columbus later that same year and became 4th Degree in 2016. Later in life he worked mainly in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher for Krispy Kreme in 2018 and as a team member at Wendy’s, Arby’s and Pizza Hut in the 2020’s. Michael is an avid bowler. In his 40’s he began to serve the poor and the homeless of Billings by bringing water to the homeless and apples for poor students at the High Schools or as he called it, “Apples for Pupils” on “Mercy Mondays”. Michael does what he calls “Mercy Checks” on the homeless whenever he could. Michael joined a local group of artist called the Billings Arts Association or BAA in 2025. He currently attends St. Pius X Catholic Church in Billings. There is more on Michael's life in his book, "Heart of a Dragon: An Autobiography", which is currently being written.