Donald E Michel

Donald E Michel

Cedar Rapids

Donald E Michel, 82, passed away on October 28, 2024 at Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa after a courageous 16-year battle with Parkinson’s. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 10 from 2 – 5 pm at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass will be on Monday, November 11 at 10:30 am with visitation at 9:30 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial in Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Don was born August 21, 1942 in Cedar Rapids to Greg and Mabel (Silver) Michel. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1960. He served his country honorably in the Iowa National Guard. On October 22, 1966 he married Karen “Sue” Norris whom he met “cruising the avenue”. They were blessed with two sons John and Joe. They shared 58 wonderful years together and enjoyed traveling especially to Rome, Ireland and Alaska.

Don was involved in the family business, Rapids Vending Co., from the time he was old enough to count nickels from the vending machines until his retirement 57 years later. He then worked for his son at the Shellsburg Elevator for 9 years.

Better known as Papa/Pops to his grandchildren, Parker and Claire, he loved spending time with them sharing his wisdom.

Don enjoyed researching family genealogy tracing his roots back to Abraham Lincoln. He had an amazing memory and would recall stories from his childhood sharing to keep those memories alive. Don was a lifetime car guy restoring cars in his younger years and enjoying car shows with his son Joe in later years.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Michel of Cedar Rapids; children John (Lisa) Michel of West Des Moines and Joe Michel of Cedar Rapids, Grandchildren Parker Michel of Atlanta, GA and Claire Michel of West Des Moines, siblings Bob (Barb) Michel, Cedar Rapids and Dan Michel, Atlanta GA., sister-in-laws Glenda Michel and Deb Michel, brother-in-laws Bill Kirk and Jeff Denny as well as many extended family members.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Greg and Mabel Michel, and siblings Pat Kirk, Greg Michel Jr, Mary Ann Denny and Gary Michel.

Our family would like to thank Hospice of Mercy for their never ending support in providing comfort and care for our family especially Brian, Julie, Lisa, Wendy, Jackie, Karen, Casey, Karen, Teresa, Dr. Taeger and the many others that were on “Don’s Team”.

Memorials may be directed in memory of Don to: CR Parkinson’s Association, PO Box 931, Cedar Rapids IA 52406.

Please share a memory at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.