George D. Michel, age 90, of Bluffton, Iowa, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on March 25, 2018. Memorial services will be held at St. Matthews Church in Granger, Minn., 2 p.m., Saturday, April 7, 2018. Friends may call from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, April 6 at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony, Minn., or one hour before memorial service.
George Dale Michel was born on August 16, 1927, in Harmony, Minn., to Virgil and Addie (Hutchison) Michel. He attended Kennedy Country School and Harmony High School. He married Dolores Elton and together raised seven children. After Dolores’ death he married Roma O’Brien on February 14, 1998. George had farmed in the Harmony area and worked with his brother, Orlando for several years. He later worked for the City of Harmony, retiring in 1992. George was a member of St. Matthew’s Church where he was baptized, confirmed and married to his wife Roma.
Nature was his passion and solace. Since childhood, he had a deep respect for God’s creations and he was most content when surrounded by nature. George took many walks in the woods and collected hundreds of fossils and many arrowheads that he has donated to the Harmony Historical Society.
He was ingenious and had a unique ability to repurpose or recycle things that only he could see the value in and often using the result as a creative solution to his personal and professional life. His sense of humor was contagious and he had many friends that he entertained with his pranks and stories. George always found the good in people with love, friendship and compassion.
George is survived by his wife Roma, of Bluffton; six children: Diane (Tom) Strahl of Preston, Minn., Gerri Harrington of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Connie Michel-Ishizaki of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Kathy (David) McCloskey of Prior Lake, Minn., William Michel of Chapperal, N. Mex., and Mary (Blaine) Tufte of Lanesboro; three step-children: Laurie (John) Nordstrom of Harmony, Minn., Robert (Lori) Schutte of Mabel, Minn., Ricky (Becky) Schutte of Green Bay, Wis.; 10 grandchildren: Doreen, Jeff, Addie, Nora, Michel, Jessica, McKayla, Kendell, Morgan, and Grace; six step-grandchildren: Heather, Melissa, Rachel, Sarah, Ryan, and Jesse; 11 great-grandchildren: Brittany, Ellie, Stephanie, Nolan, Chase, Tyler, Jocelyn, Jade, Sam, Josephine, and James; eight step-great-grandchildren: Danica, Derrick, Gage, Brady, Garrett, Kjersten, Jace, Hailey,; four great-great-grandchildren: Jackson, Will, Bentley, and Roman; two siblings: Janice (John) Saecker of Markesan, Wis., and Jacque (John D.) Ryan of Harmony, Minn.; and a sister-in-law: Marilyn Tammel.
George was preceded in death by his first wife, Dolores; a son, Sgt. David G. Michel; and a step-son, Rollis Schutte.