Roberta L. Michels

Roberta Lynn Michels, age 66, passed away peacefully at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND on October 7th, 2023, with her siblings surrounding her. She fought diabetes and all its complications for many years, but after a lengthy hospital stay, beginning in June, she lost her battle.

She is survived by 4 brothers and 2 sisters: Leslie (Stella) Michels, Blair (Lynne) Michels, her twin – Richard (Deborah) Michels, Lynette (Dwain) Elenberger, Julene (Neal) Haugen, and Charles (Laura) Michels, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, whom she absolutely loved and adored!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harland & Mary Ann Michels, and her grandparents: Roman & Hazel Michels and Joseph & Magdalene Peterschick. Roberta Lynn Michels was born at St. Francis Hospital on September 7, 1957, along with her twin brother, Richard. A cousin, Robin Dosch, was also born the same day, at the same hospital. Throughout their lives all 3 were referred to as, “The Triplets”.

In high school, Roberta took part in music and sports activities. Her summers were filled with lifeguarding and teaching swimming! However, you would always find her in her bedroom, using her artistic abilities through drawing, painting or creating some work of art! Roberta graduated from Milnor High School in Milnor, ND in 1976. She attended college at Mayville State College, studying Art, and then transferred to Moorhead State University where she graduated in 1981 with an A.S. Degree in Early Childhood. Roberta worked in Fargo as a daycare instructor for a couple years and then went on to work at Friendship, Inc., where she worked with mentally disabled adults as a Supervisor, then a Program Coordinator. For many summers, she worked for the Fargo Parks & Recreation Department managing swimming pools.

In the years to follow, due to her declining health, Roberta had to take on several different jobs which accommodated her needs. She eventually went on disability and had a small apartment in North Fargo, where she lived with her adopted cat, Maggie. Maggie became her comforting companion who Roberta loved to share stories about! Maggie now lives with our brother, Charles & his wife, Laura.

Roberta was a loving, caring, independent woman who knew what she wanted. She always said goodbye by adding, “I love you more!” She was an artist all her life, up until the very end, when she sketched a tree in the hospital just a couple weeks before she left us! She took care of our parents and went on many trips with them, after the rest of us got married and left to raise our own families. She loved spending time with all her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and was always there to have fun and play games! Some of them were lucky enough to go on overnight trips with her! She was our treasure and will never be forgotten in our hearts! Love you more Berta!!!

A Celebration of her life will be held in Milnor, ND on June 8th, 2024. Arrangements are pending.