Alice Michels 02/18/2020

Alice Michels, age 92, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Saint Croix Health Center in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Alice was born the daughter of Robert and Alice Arntzen on June 23, 1927 in Chicago, IL. She graduated from Steinmetz High School class of 1945. Following graduation, Alice attended the Chicago Art Institute. She married Don Michels on October 1, 1949 in Chicago. They raised their family in Park Forest, IL before moving to New Richmond in 1977. Alice held multiple jobs throughout her life. She worked as a commercial artist and freelance graphic artist as well as worked for the Park Forest Reporter, which is the newspaper in Park Forest. Upon arriving in New Richmond, Alice worked as a realtor as well as loved helping the city of New Richmond grow and develop. Alice expressed her creativity through many different mediums including graphic design, stain glass windows, and wood carvings. She filled her home with her creativity. She was involved with various Hospital Auxiliaries and volunteered at the Thrift Store in Chicago Heights serving the economically disadvantaged and volunteered at Westfields hospital in the gift shop. Alice was also involved with the New Richmond Chamber of Commerce and volunteered with Fun Fest and First Lutheran Church annual Smorgasbord. Alice will be remembered by her traditional Scandinavian cookies and food during family celebrations, her role as a Cub Scout Den Mother to her sons, and her unwavering love and support.
She is survived by her sons, Matt (Katy) Michels, Tom (Ron Boldt) Michels, and Neil (Kathie) Michels; daughter-in-law, Julie Michels; grandchildren, Christine Michels, Brian, Michels, Erica Michels, Erin (Mike) Sargent, Bob Michels, Scott (Krista) Anderson, and Heather (Andrew) Aceves; great-grandchildren, Emma Bubendorf, Will Bubendorf, Noah Sargent, Dean Sargent, Owen Sargent, Cora Sargent, Jacob Aceves, Amelia Aceves, Abby Anderson, Molly Anderson, and Matthew Anderson; and five nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Alice (Thomsen) Arntzen; husband, Don Michels; and sister, Marielyn Frazier. In lieu of flowers, donations to local charities would be greatly appreciated.  A Funeral Service was held Monday, March 2, 2020 at 1:00pm at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (728 South Knowles Avenue) in New Richmond with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A visitation was also held Sunday, March 1, 2020 from 3-6 p.m. at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services. Interment will be in Ely Cemetery in Ely, Minnesota at a later date. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.