Kathleen Mae Michel

Kathleen (Kate) Mae Michel left this life to be reunited with her husband of fifty-eight years, Bernard (Bernie) Michel. They were the parents of a large family but always found room to welcome in all that they met. To Mom especially, the world was not full of strangers, but simply friends that she had not yet had a chance to meet.

Mom was born on September 13, 1927 in Milwaukee, WI, to Anna (Mehren) and Frank Lepsch. She died on December 17, 2020 at the Onalaska Care Center in Onalaska, WI.

Mom and Dad were married on October 8, 1949 at Saint Wenceslaus Church in La Crosse. They lived for many years on the southside side of La Crosse and were long-time members of Holy Trinity Church. In their later years together, they lived on Shore Acres Road in La Crescent, Minnesota, spending their time on the banks of the Mississippi River, fishing, gardening, watching their grandchildren play, and keeping an eye on the wildlife and the boat traffic passing by.

They were able to travel throughout the United States exploring the country, spending time as snowbirds in Florida and visiting with family and friends. Another important part of their life together was attending reunions of the crew of Dad’s ship, the USS Nashville, and the conventions of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include Tom (Kathy) Michel of Onalaska, Stan (Deb) Michel of West Salem, Doug Michel of La Crosse, Joe (Terri) Michel of Milton, and Bob Michel of Onalaska; nine grandchildren, Ann (Troy) Pohlkamp of Naperville, Illinois, Ben Michel (Stacey Bishofsky) of Holmen WI, Jeremy Michel (Carmen Hass) of La Crosse, Angela (Ryan) Dahl of Onalaska, Jeff Michel of West Salem; Jacob Michel, Daniel Michel, and Andrew Michel of Madison, WI; Rob Michel (fiancé Kaitlin Schaeren) of Sussex, WI; and ten great grandchildren. Mom is further survived by four siblings, Bob (Rose) Lepsch, Paul (Barb) Lepsch, Angie Gschwind, and Mary (Tom) Tenant; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Anna; her husband, Bernard; infant children, Ann, Paul, and Rose; and by two adult sons, Gary and Gregory, and five siblings, Beatrice Mueller, Phyllis Molzahn, Patricia Fitzpatrick, William Lepsch, and Peter Lepsch.

Mom graduated from St Wenceslaus School in 1941, and Aquinas High School in the class of 1945. Up until recent years she was a faithful attendee of her class reunions and its informal gatherings.

Mom began nurse’s training at the Saint Francis School of Nursing but withdrew to marry and raise a family. She later returned to college to pursue a nursing degree from Western Technical College. After graduation in 1973, she worked for over twenty-five years as an LPN at Saint Francis Hospital.

Due to the ongoing COVID situation, private family services will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse with a burial at the La Crosse Catholic Cemetery. When conditions improve, plans will be announced for a public Celebration of Life.

The family wishes to thank the staff and administration of the Onalaska Care Center for the devoted care that they gave Mom over the last months of her life; to the staff of Mayo Health Systems for the care provided to Mom and Dad over these many years; and to the parish family of Holy Trinity Church and Father Rick Roberts.

We also wish to thank Father Lawrence B. Berger for the years of spiritual support and consolation that he as their pastor provided to both Mom and Dad.

Memorials may be directed to the Onalaska Care Facility, Mayo Clinic Hospice, Holy Trinity Catholic Church or to the Aquinas Catholic Schools.