Mike Michels

Lowell 'Mike' James Michels, 81, passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon. There will be a memorial service at a later date. Survivors include six children, Lowell Jr. 'Bud' (Donna), Laura Willhoite (John), Vickie Backus (Cecil), Brenda Zens, Charles (Cathy), Darrell (Theresa); 27 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Mike was born May 16, 1937, in Olin, Iowa. He was the youngest of four children and the last surviving member of Gus & Bessie Michels. Mike's parents moved to Sanford, Florida in 1949, where he grew up and met his soulmate Grace Ellen Tew from Longwood, Florida in 1956. They were married January 6, 1957, and moved to Anamosa, Iowa in 1962. He and Grace lived in Florida, Oregon and New Mexico, but Iowa was always his home and they moved back in 2009 to Shellsburg and finally settling in Mechanicsville in 2014. Mike loved to fish and taught this hobby to all his children and grandchildren. He loved to tell stories and had a great sense of humor. He always called himself a Jack of All Trades and Master of None. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St Luke's Foundation, 855 A Avenue NE, Suite 105, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.