"june so sorry about your grandma john and judy morgan"
In loving memory of
Margaret Michel
May 2, 1924 - August 23, 2010
Margaret Ann (Herbst) Michel was born on May 2, 1924 to Christian Herman and Luisa (Haible) Herbst in Plymouth County, LeMars, Iowa. She was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Merrill, Iowa and later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jeffers in 1938. Margaret moved with her parents to a farm east of Jeffers in 1936. They lived there for a year and then moved south of Storden. She attended Storden High School and graduated with the Class of 1942. Following graduation Margaret worked at Fairmont Railway Motors as a drill press operator. Then she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked at MunsingWear, A & P Grocery Store and Rosemount Gunpowder Plant.
On February 15, 1947, Margaret was united in marriage to William Frederick Michel at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jeffers. This marriage was blessed with seven children, James, Harry, Russell, William, Susan, Cindy, and Carol. In 1948, they moved to Jeffers where Margaret was busy as a housewife and mother. She also kept busy working at Pommier's Pool Hall and Jeffers Liquor Store. William passed away on February 4, 1980. After William's death Margaret continued living in Jeffers until she passed away at her home on Monday, August 23, 2010, with some of her family by her side at the age of 86.
Margaret was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jeffers and was involved in the Ladies Aid and Lydia Circle where she helped sew and tie quilts. She volunteered for about 15 years at the Storden Economy Store. Margaret enjoyed crosswords, doing quilt blocks and spending time with her family. She enjoyed watching birds out her window, especially hummingbirds, finches and orioles.
Margaret is survived by seven children, James Michel of Sioux Falls, SD; Harry (Carolyn) Michel of Redwood Falls; Russell (Diana) Michel of Eden Prairie; William (Darlene) Michel of Jeffers; Susan (Lloyd Pfeiffer) Swenson of Windom; Cindy (John) Reid of Windom; and Carol (Jim Wolf) Michel of Jeffers; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Chris Herbst of Storden; two special nieces, Karen Farrell of Coon Rapids and Sally Dick of Wabasha; and several other nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Michel; three brothers, Johnny, Louie, and Albert Herbst; and two sisters, Frieda Farrell and Anne Davenport.
Blessed be the memory of Margaret Michel.
Tributes
"Jim, Bill, Cindy and families... Want to extend my sympathies in the loss of your mom. They are very special people. May you find comfort in knowing that others do care. Karen"
"Margaret was my great-aunt and what I will always remember about her is how much she loved to laugh and have a good time. We'll miss her. -Kelli Koob"
"Sympathy to all of you, Margaret was a wonderful person. It is hard to lose a parent. She is now pain free and some day you will get to be with her again. Prayers to you as you mourn your loss. "
"Sue and family-- Please accept our deepest sympathy in the passing of you mom. Your mom was a special lady and always made time for family. I will always remember her homemade tomato juice that you would bring over. Delicious indeed. Times like these help us remember "the good ole days" and the people that helped us get where we are today. Mom's are the best. Take care Don and Linda Wesseling"
"I miss you already Grandma. Being so far away is hard but I always think about you. I will greatly miss you and love you. I will cherish my salt and pepper shakers from you. Love you!"
"Margaret, You've meant so much to our family thru out the years. One of my first memories of you is of my dad referring to you as "Tommy". You and your family took such good care of Grandma. After Grandma died and then later my Mom, you kept in contact with our family thru letters to Sally and myself, keeping us updated on the family news. I enjoyed so much your birthday parties and family get togethers. It was always fun to see our extended and expanding Herbst family! Having grown up in an area surrounded by Farrell family and history, it was important to me to keep connected to our Herbst side of the family. During my last visit with you, together we watched the hummingbirds and gold finches at the feeders outside your living room window. On Monday afternoon as I was saying a prayer for you at Mom's gravesite in Red Wing, suddenly a hummingbird landed on the flowers right in front of me at Mom's grave. I had never seen a hummingbird there before! My faith makes me believe that this was a message from God telling me that you were at peace, and that if you weren't already, you would soon be with God and Grandma Herbst and my Mom in heaven. So with a heavy heart, I say goodbye to you. I love you. As always, take care, K-----"
"Grandma, You were such a beautiful and loving person and I will miss you greatly. We will remember and love you always."
"JIM & family - wanted to send my sympathies to you. Although I did not know your Mom - I know how much I would miss mine. Trust you have many wonderful memories to carry you on these tough days. Thinking of you. Hugs, Wanda Lange "
"I luv and miss you so much. I thank God for every moment I got to spend with you and for giving me so many memories. Me and the girls will do some bird watching with you until we meet again. "
"I love you Grandma! No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I know that you are near because you are always in my heart! I miss you so much. "
"Cindy, Reid,Darlene & Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your loved one She is now safe in the arms of our Lord. "
"We will all miss you alot margaret. Rest in peace"
"To Margaret's dear family, Our families have been friends for years and years, giving me so many good memories of "Mugsy", as my mom and Viola used to call her. OH, the fun they had when they got together. Know how much she loved cooking, baking and canning for all her loved ones! She was so fun to visit with and wasn't shy about stating her opinions!!! Thinking of all of you in this difficult time. God Bless you and lift the heaviness of your hearts. "
"Dear Michel Family, I am so glad I got to know Margaret, what a great gal!! She was so interesting to visit with, she was very informed and insightful. She loved her family and was proud of everyone. You have my sympathy, God's blessings, Pam Busswitz "
"Margaret, You're at peace and once again with your Mom and my Mom. Love always & never to be forgotten."
"I miss u alot and u will never be forgotten! I love u Grandma!"
"I am going to miss you grandma! I love you!!"