Carol Jean Michels went to the Lord March 22, 2022, surrounded by her husband, most of her children and grandson Tucker at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Mont.
Carol was born May 14, 1945, to Jens and Marie Jensen in Plentywood, Mont. She was the last of six, following Ellen, June, Johnny, Shirley and Lillian.
She married Gary Ereth in January of 1961 and, together, they had Craig, Wanda, Sandra, Timothy and Tasha. They lived in many places together, including southern California, Arizona, Wyoming, western Montana and Medicine Lake before moving to Carol’s family farm west of Medicine Lake, Mont. They eventually divorced.
Carol and Jeff Michels blended their families into one in the early 1990s, living together on the family farm raising their two youngest daughters, Tasha and Danielle. They were later married in March of 2011. Together, they owned C& J Automotive, where they worked together for many years.
Carol was known by many for her excellent cooking due to her time working in area cafes and clubs. She also worked as a cook at Medicine Lake Schools for a time. Her kids really loved being able to see her during the day. Later, she owned Carol’s Cafe in Froid, Mont., where she shared her culinary skills with whomever was lucky enough to stumble upon it. The pizza there was very popular. We were all blessed by her love of baking cookies, cakes and breads.
She had many other skills, and her family and others benefited from them. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing many of the suits and dresses for her older sons’ and daughters’ proms, special performances and sweetheart balls, as well as chic coats for her younger daughters. She even sewed clothing for others as a way to earn extra income in the early years. Upholstery became another skill she mastered, owning an upholstery shop in Medicine Lake in the early 2000s.
Carol loved flowers and planted them to enliven the outside living spaces at her country home. She especially liked visiting the area nurseries to find just the right varieties. Her artistic side found expression in painting as well. She painted landscapes and wildlife, and some of these grace the walls of her home.
Mom was interested in many things, having once taken a course in small engine repair. She was a car buff and got a kick out of driving her Mustangs, of which she owned three over the years.
Reading was another favorite pastime, in which she finally got to indulge in her later years. She shared her books generously and was blessed by Hope’s book shelf at the Honker Pit.
Family was very important to Mom, and she took care of her own mother until it was no longer safe for her to do so. She then took a job at Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home to be close to her and continue caring for her. Carol was blessed with many grandkids and, even though she didn’t get to spend a lot of time with each of them, she loved them all. One of her grandsons, Tucker, had a close bond with his grandma. They shared a love of cars, rock music and long visits at the farm.
Motor Magic was the big annual family gathering for many years. The stock car and drag races were some of her favorites. Several family members joined her and Jeff making this a time to look forward to. Concerts at the Minot State Fair were also a highlight of the year. Mom really enjoyed the rock venues, attending Def Leopard and Lynyrd Skynyrd to name a couple. Hair Nation was a favorite setting on her vehicle’s radio.
Carol is survived by her loving husband, Jeff; and her children, Craig (Yong-Nam) Ereth of Minot, N.D., Wanda (Tim) Spaabeck of Fairview, Mont., Sandra (Demcy) Davidson of Detroit Lakes, Minn., Tim (Hope) Ereth of Medicine Lake, Mont., Tasha (Stephen) Roness of Medicine Lake, Mont., and Danielle (Jordan) Stratton of Williston, N.D. She was blessed with numerous grandchildren, S’Tayyarr, Zephyrique, Conan, Hezekiah, Travis, Chance, Laken, Haelee, Chelby, Oly, Tamara, Vernie, Amanda, Tristan, Kennedy, Tucker, Dayvin, Everett, Locklyn, JD, Weston, Nolyn, Ethan and Brooklyn. Great-grandchildren include Shaylene, Yelena, Bentley, Savonne, Brielle, Owen, Kingston, Kadence, Kyri, Kirby, Adyn and Hadley. One remaining sister, Shirley Rasmussen of Culbertson, also survives her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Jens; brother, John; and sisters, Ellen, June and Lillian.
To plant memorial trees in memory of Carol Jean Michels, please visit https:// www.fulkersonsplentywood. com/obituary/carol-michels/ gifts?campaign=obituaryInline- gifts-textLink-obitText to visit our Sympathy Store. A memorial service will be held at the Medicine Lake Fire Hall on April 1, 2022, starting at 10 a.m. Following the memorial service, fellowship will continue at the Honker Pit.
(Paid Obituary)
