Obituary of Edward Joseph Michel

DUBUQUE, IOWA Edward J. Michel Sr., 90, of Dubuque, and formerly of Bellevue died Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Manor Care Center, Dubuque,. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 31, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellevue with burial in the church cemetery where Military Honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 273. Rev. Phil Kruse will officiate. Ed was born May 22, 1922, in Bellevue, Iowa, the son of John B. and Regina (Dempewolf) Michel. He married Jean R. Norpel on December 26, 1959, in Dubuque. She preceded him in death on April 8, 2001. He later married Valeria Koelker on November 26, 2011, also in Dubuque. Ed graduated from St. Joseph Catholic H.S. in Bellevue and was an active Cub Scout Master for Troop 342. He also coached little league baseball in Bellevue. Ed worked at Lock & Dam # 12 in Bellevue before joining the service. He was a Staff Sgt in the US Army during WWII from 1942 - 1946 with the 1st Armed Division, and later joined the National Guard for 4 ½ years. While in the service he went to Army General School to be a Clerk Typist and to Food Service School. Ed later studied at Bayless Business School at Loras College, worked as a lab technician at Mercy Hospital Blood Bank and then spent 27 years at John Deere as an inspector. Ed traveled all over the USA. After retirement, he went to Florida to scuba dive and eventually became an instructor. He loved water skiing and had an Antique Shop in Savanna, IL. He also loved bowling and dancing (where he met Valeria). Ed was also very proud that, while in Italy, he kissed the Pope's ring 3 times. When in Rome …… Ed was a member of American Legion Post 273. Survivors include his wife, Valeria, 4 children and 3 adopted: Edward (Kathy) Michel Jr. of Bellevue, Rodney (Aisha) Michel of Richmond, VA, David (Tami) Michel of Bellevue, Jennifer (Jacob) Budde of Dubuque, Rebekkah Michel and Justin Michel, both of Chicago and Jason Michel of Davenport; 43 foster children, 15 grandchildren: Sara Jo (Kevin) Kloser, Stephanie (Jesse) Kremer, Philip (Ashley) and Madilyn Michel, Joshua, Shane, John and Matthew Michel, Austin Michel, Christopher, Zachary, Tailey and Aspen Budde, Jeremy and Kyara Michel, 4 great grandchildren: Tyrelle & Logan Kloser, Aubrey & Christopher Michel, and 1 more expected; 2 sisters: Margaret Gothard of Bellevue and Rosie (Jim) Kueter of Oklahoma, and a brother-in-law: Carlyle Said. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Jean; a grandson, Trevor Michel; brothers: Jack and Lawrence (Barb) Michel, sisters: Josephine (Meneve) Noel, Dorothy Said, and Marie (Nicholas) Weis. Memorials are preferred and may be sent to Edward Michel Memorial, PO Box 181, Bellevue, IA 52031. Ed's family would like to thank the staff at Manor Care for the wonderful care and compassion shown to our family, and to Doctors Longo and Mozena and his nurse, Jen.