Donald M. “Don” Michel, age 90, of Bellevue, IA, completed his earthly journey on March 22, 2024, at the Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue, while surrounded by his loving family.  To honor Don’s life, a Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 105 E. Main Street, Springbrook, IA, with Rev. Robert Gross officiating.  Family and friends are invited to join in fellowship from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in the Sts. Peter &Paul Church Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded by the Bellevue American Legion.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Don’s family.

Don was born on October 12, 1933, on the century family farm south of Springbrook, IA, a son to Mathew and Julia (Kilburg) Michel.  Don honorably served his country with the U.S. Army and was a proud member of the Bellevue American Legion for over 40 years.  He devoted his time and talents in the Maintenace Department at John Deere Dubuque Works until eventually retiring in 1983.  In his free-time, Don was an outdoorsman through and through.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting of all kinds, especially deer, squirrel, rabbit and raccoon.  He also spent countless hours working on setting his traps waiting for the best racoon and mink skins of the season.  We are going to miss Don and the positive imprint his continually left on the world around him.  We are forever grateful for the lessons he always taught along the way as well.  Thank you, Don, for all that you have left behind for the generations to follow in your legacy and may the Lord keep you safely in His loving arms until we all meet again.

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Don include,

his three children,

Macheal Marie Heidesch, Dubuque, IA,

John M. (Denise) Michel, Bellevue, IA,

and Richard J. Michel, Dubuque, IA;

his grandchildren,

Eric Heidesch, Chad Heidesch, Joshua (Sarah) Michel, Danielle (Nathan) Mohr, Manessa Michel, Mitchel  Michel, Jenna (Eric) Smith, John Michel II, Daniel Michel, Austin (Natalie) Michel, and Kristin Michel;

his great-grandchildren,

Madelynne, Elaina, Michael and Olivia Michel, Evelyn and Ezra Cooper, Anjolie Mohr, Leanna and Wyatt Gaul, Mathias and Hendrix Michel, Pryor and Quinn Smith, and Archibald and Henry Michel;

his siblings,

Bernard “Bun” (Darlene) Michel, Bellevue, IA,

Helen Zeimet, Bellevue, IA,

Marian Kloft, Maquoketa, IA,

Bernadine Hartung, Preston, IA,

and Carma Frank, Lancaster, WI;

his ex-wife,

Rose Willey, Dubuque, IA;

along with numerous extended family, friends and neighbors.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Daniel Mathew Michel; his daughter-in-law, Sandi Michel;  and his siblings, Dolores (Delbert) Heiar, Sr. Mary Mathew, Alvina (Eldon) Stillmunkes, Arlene (Orville) Hager, Alverda (Arnie) Heiar and Herman Michel; his brothers-in-law, Harold Zeimet, Doman Kloft, Joseph Hartung, and Lloyd Frank; his dear friend, Velma Holmes.

In lieu of flowers, a Donald M. Michel memorial fund has been established which will be distributed among his favorite charities.

Don’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Mill Valley Care Center and Hospice of Jackson County for all of their professional and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be shared with Don’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com