Early Life and Family Background

Michael Peter Riedel, affectionately known as "Mr. Dragon," received his name in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. His surname is pronounced "Rye-Dell." Michael was born during the centennial celebration of Billings, Montana, to his devoted parents, Peter and LaRayne Riedel. He is one of five siblings, with two brothers and two sisters, and his heritage encompasses Irish, British, and German roots. Michael was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church on September 18, 1982. He later received his First Holy Communion on April 26, 1991, followed by his Confirmation on May 6, 1992.

 

Childhood Interests and Challenges

As a child, Michael enjoyed spending time with Legos and video games, especially favoring the Legend of Zelda series. In 1991, he was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (O.C.D.), Asperger's Syndrome, and High-End Autism. Throughout his youth, Michael attended public schools. He was a quiet and shy boy who rarely interacted with other children during grade school, preferring to engage in role-playing games and imaginative activities on his own. Michael was also known for doodling in class when teachers were not watching. His musical tastes were eclectic, including oldies, disco, new wave, and early 1990s country.

 

Adolescence and Personal Loss

On February 12, 1999, Michael endured a heartbreaking loss when his crush and girlfriend, Heather D. Hogan, died in a vehicle accident just outside Billings. He continues to honor her memory by regularly visiting her grave and offering prayers for her soul. Michael graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 2001. His favorite subject was art, though he is largely a self-taught freelance artist. His passions include animals, fantasy, nature, and architecture. In the years following high school, Michael worked in various positions, including janitorial work for COR Enterprises throughout the 2000s and 2010s.

 

Spiritual Growth and Community Involvement

In 2012, Michael underwent a profound spiritual conversion, beginning to pray the rosary daily and attending Mass and confession as often as possible. In May of that year, he founded an order called the Catholic Dragons and later joined the Knights of Columbus, achieving Fourth Degree status in 2016. Michael also worked in the restaurant industry, serving as a dishwasher at Krispy Kreme in 2018 and as a team member at Wendy’s, Arby’s, and Pizza Hut throughout the 2020s. He is currently unemployed and enjoys bowling as a hobby.

 

Service and Artistic Pursuits in Later Years

In his forties, Michael began serving the poor and homeless in Billings by distributing water and offering apples to students in need at local high schools through an initiative called “Apples for Pupils” on “Mercy Mondays.” He performs “Mercy Checks” on the homeless whenever possible. In 2025, Michael joined the Billings Arts Association (BAA), a local group of artists. He currently attends St. Pius X Catholic Church in Billings and strives to become a great saint. More about Michael’s journey can be found in his book, "Heart of a Dragon: An Autobiography," which is currently in progress.

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