Helen Marie McMichael

Our dear mother, Helen Marie McMichael, age 84, returned to our Heavenly Father September, 13th at home in Wilder, Idaho. Marie was born September 9th, 1939 to Helen Velate Saxton Welch and Robert Arthur Welch in the back of Ward’s Service Station where the family lived at the time. Marie was the second of three children in their family. Carolyn Ruth Welch Winters was Marie’s big sister and Robert Dennis Welch was her younger brother. The family lived in Coalville for a few years, then moved up to Spring Valley Wyoming where Marie’s father was a section foreman for the railroad. Marie had very fond memories of this place and would often reminisce of her time there. After the war Marie’s family moved back to Coalville where she attended school 2nd through 12th grade. Marie graduated from North Summit High School in 1957. A few months later she married her sweetheart Kent Oriel McMichael on August 23rd 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple. 

Marie and Kent had seven sons, two of whom died at birth. Just before their first born David turned 1 years old, they bought a house in Layton Utah. Then a few years later Don came along. After some time spent living in Layton Utah, Marie and Kent pulled up stakes and moved to Porterville, Utah where three more boys joined the family, Kevin, Brett, and Alan. Marie and Kent were hopeful for a girl, but that was not to be; however, they sure loved their boys. They enjoyed their time spent in Porterville, but due to a change in employment they decided to buy a dairy farm in Montpelier, Idaho with 110 milk cows. No one wasted any time, and there was always plenty to do. After three to four years, they sold the dairy farm, then started their next venture in Rockland, Idaho where they bought a grain farm. Out of the many places they lived, Marie and her family loved their time in Rockland, Idaho. The family farmed in Rockland for about eight years, before moving to Hoytsville, Utah where they lived for 37 happy years. Marie loved many things about Hoytsville, especially the people. In October of 2021, they sold their home and property and moved to Wilder, Idaho where their son Brett, his wife Carol, and their family lived.

 Marie had some health challenges throughout her life. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis early on in her life. Then, in 1989 she lost her sight due to Glaucoma and complications from MS. Afterwards, Marie enrolled in the Blind School in Salt Lake City where she said, “I spent the next four months learning to be a blind person.” During those four months Marie learned how to do things that she had been doing for years but in a different way. She also learned how to read and write Braille. But the very first thing that Marie learned was to laugh at herself. “If you don’t learn to laugh, you cry a lot.” Marie was chosen to be a mentor to those that needed help keeping their spirits up and accepting their blindness. Shortly after graduating from the blind school Marie was nominated to be a March of Dimes Representative for a year.  She spent the year traveling and giving speeches for the organization. 

   Marie had many talents and hobbies. She crocheted, enjoyed baking and canning but most of all Marie loved to quilt. She made many quilts and blankets for her family and loved ones even after she lost her sight.  Out of all of Marie’s talents she had a way of making you feel loved. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She expressed her love often and was a great support to our family. Marie will be greatly missed but we look forward to when we can be together again. 

   We will always love you mom!  David(Carol)McMichael, Don(Jana)McMichael, Kevin McMichael, Brett(Carol)McMichael, Alan(Carrie)McMichael, 13 grandkids, 10 great grandkids.

There will be a service in her honor on September 23, 2023 at 11 am in the Hoytsville Church. There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:45am before the services.

Interment will be in the Hoytsville Cemetery.