Letha Marie Michels

Letha Marie Michels of Brandon, Wisconsin passed away on September 8, 2023 at House of the Dove Hospice Home in Marshfield, Wisconsin, two days prior to her 99^th birthday.

Letha was born on September 10, 1924 in Rinard, Illinois to Charles and Bertha Yates.  She grew up and attended school in Rinard followed by work in the nearby town of Flora, Illinois.  Prior to marriage, Letha moved to St. Louis, Missouri to work in an ammunition factory in support of World War II efforts.  She married George Michels on April 23, 1944 in Cisne, Illinois and they moved their family from Illinois to Wisconsin in 1946.  

Letha was a dedicated employee at JCPenney in Waupun, Wisconsin for 26 years.  Her primary position was bookkeeper but she worked in almost every role in the store through the years.  Nearly everyone who shopped at JCPenney came to fondly know Letha.  In addition to her strong work ethic, Letha greatly valued service to the community.  She served as treasurer of the Brandon Cemetery for 33 years and treasurer of the Waupun Union-Congregational Church (UCC) for 11 years.  She held other UCC volunteer positions through the years, one of which was supporting funeral services for church families. Letha also volunteered at the gift shop at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du lac, Wisconsin for 11 years after her retirement.  

Letha loved her home and yard and was grateful to be able to live in her home until the final weeks of her life.  She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who cherished both her family and friends.  Letha will be fondly remembered for many things including her kindness, generosity, keen mind, and sharp attention to detail.  She will also be remembered for her beautiful flowers and delicious cinnamon and dinner rolls, pies and lasagna.  Her freezer was always full of goodies to send home with family and friends.

Letha is survived by her son Charles Michels (Patricia) of Minocqua, Wisconsin; grandson Jeffrey Michels (Julie) of Appleton, Wisconsin; granddaughter Jennifer Michels (Kurt Schoen) of Marshfield, Wisconsin and four great grandchildren: Ashley and Adam Michels and Alexa and Lucas Schoen.  She is also survived by sisters-in-law Joanne and Joy Yates, nieces and nephews, and many close friends.  

Letha was preceded in death by her husband, George, as well as her parents and her two brothers, Gene and Walton Yates.

A Celebration of Life service to honor Letha will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Werner - Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun, Wisconsin.  Family members will be available to greet guests at 1:00 PM with a memorial service at 2:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Letha’s name can be made to the Brandon Fire Department or Brandon Library.