We were all so excited about the arrival of Michelle on Christmas day. She was born in Fairbanks, Alaska only weighting 3 lbs 6 oz and was unable to come home until she weighted 4 lbs, so she spent almost a month in the hospital. Michelle having her dad's blood type who carried the RH factor lead the hospital to have things in order if a blood transfusion was necessary, but thankfully she didn't need it. Michelle was so tiny that we bought her a doll crib to sleep in and used doll clothes for her to wear.
She was always happy; before she started kindergarten she'd talk about going with me to this lady's (Bea) house to play cards where she would play and have her nap time. She loved macaroni and milk, you'd ask her what she wanted and that was her answer.
Michelle started school at Barnett Elementary, a few years later attended Joy School until we moved out to Fox, Alaska. In 1966 we experienced an earthquake and I remember the kids and I were so scared as we all sat on the couch watching the floor and items in the house move. Then in 1967 we went through a flood while living in town. A few years later we moved to Fox, Alaska to higher ground where we lived in a 14' travel trailer while we built our home.
In 1977, Dad, Pam, Michelle and myself all moved back to Minnesota leaving Arlene in Fairbanks as she wanted to stay. We had our own plane so we flew to Minnesota first living in Grand Rapids and shortly after moved our trailer onto property we had previously bought in Ball Club.
Michelle graduated in 1982 from Deer River High School were she had also taken classes for a nurses aid allowing her to work while in school at the nursing home in Deer River. During High School Michelle dated Mike Bartell and they married shortly after graduation. The girls wanted me to make their wedding gowns and each one picked out their pattern for me to make. Michelle was so proud of her wedding grown and looked beautiful wearing it. After Michelle and Mike married they moved to Minneapolis where Greg was born in 1986, Heather in 1988 and Nick in 1995.
Throughout the years Michelle worked waitressing, making lint rollers at Bemis and different jobs for a temp service. She worked for Qwest for 5 years before she was laid off. Michelle always worked hard and gave things her all. The job at Metronics was what she really liked as she was busy assisting people in need as her title Donations/Subsidy Contract Admistrator allowed her to do. Michelle having suffered two heart attacks within two weeks and having to be revived twice before having 2 stints inserted and a 3rd one later. This drove Michelle's passison to get involved with the Women's Heart Association were she set up at Expo's to educate others with handouts. She was invited to talk on Fox News about her experience and awareness about women and heart attacks as this is a number one killer amoung women. We can remember her excitement when she was picked to go to Washington D.C. to help represent the Heart Association.
When she wasn't involved with work or the Women's Heart Association she dedicated her time to her children, soccer games, sporting events and other activities, arts, sledding, movies, etc.
Michelle and Mike got divorced leaving her a single mom changing the way she looked at life. Her kids were her pride and joy. You'd hear her talk about Greg either having talked to him or seeing him and you could hear the excitement in her voice, she didn't get to spend much time with him as she would have liked to have. She was the biggest cheering section for both Heather and Nick's games and beamed with pride at watching every game.
Michelle loved being with the family and would come home on weekends when possible. Last year in August Michelle and Pam put together a family day trip to Ely to the Soudan Mine and North American Bear Center. Michelle's Dad, Sister Arlene , brother-in-law Tim, Sister Pam, Michelle's two children, Heather, Nick, and I spent the day exploring in Ely and had a wonderful lunch at the Chocolate Moose. Michelle and Pam created a day filled with wonderful family memories. Unfortunately, that was our last outing spent together.
Michelle was always wanting to help others. October 10, 2009 became a tragic day, Michelle was meeting Pam and I as we were going to have a weekend together in Ashland, WI visiting my sister.
Our lives changed tragically by the chain of events that took place that morning as we wondered how she could be taken away from us so suddenly. Our family lost a very special family member, Daughter, Sister, Mom and Auntie. We miss you and love you... Mom & Dad
