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Michele Marie Schrader, age 64, of Ripon, WI passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at UW Hospital in Madison, WI.
Michele was born in September 1958 in Two Rivers, WI to Don and Helen (Albers) Massey. She graduated from Roncalli High School in Manitowoc, WI and went on to college at UW Stevens Point where she met her future husband, Ed. Both were students in the Forestry program and were active in the various campus activities. Michele was introduced to Ed at a social event hosted by the campus Greek societies. Michele was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and Ed was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Michele returned to Two Rivers after leaving college. Ed was smitten and followed her to continue their relationship by taking a job with the DNR in the area. They became engaged and were married in June 1980, taking up residence in Two Rivers. As job changes occurred, they moved to Rockford, IL where Michele became employed at Rockford College (now University) in the office of the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Affairs. She also continued her education while on staff. In 1986 the couple relocated to Ripon, WI where they raised their children.
Raising a family kept her busy but she made time to participate in the programs her children were involved in: Girl Scouts, Sunday school, volunteering to help out the teachers in their classrooms (sometimes to the child’s embarrassment). Additional duties included support and taxi service to cheerleading, softball, soccer, theater, choir, band, etc. There was always room at the house for a child’s friend who needed a ride or came over to study/practice/hangout and so on. She was known by many as Momma Schrader. After the kids were mostly on their own she returned to part time work as the church secretary at Trinity Evangelical Free Church and for a period of time at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, both located in Ripon. She loved the library and was an avid reader. She volunteered for many years with the Friends of the Ripon Public Library and was very active in the used book sales.
Michele loved the Lord and studied His word daily. She has been active in the church, serving on committees, worship team/tech crew and multiple bible studies. Michele very much enjoyed hanging out with a group of ladies that originally were involved in welcoming the family to Ripon. That relationship has endured for over 30 years. They informally are known as the “First Friends.”
Though her physical heart could not sustain her, Michele had the most beautiful heart full of love for everything and everyone. In retirement she enjoyed serving at church, playing with her grandkids, participating in local running events to include several half marathons with one of her daughters and sprint triathlons with her sister, tending her ever expanding gardens, bike riding and exploring with her beloved husband. Michele and Ed loved to travel and learn new things about whatever destination whimsy led them. She was like a little kid the day she got her first passport and broadened her exploration internationally. Michele touched many lives in an innocent loving way. Though well-read and intelligent in many ways, her husband would sometimes tease her and say she was 5, for she looked at the world through the innocent eyes of a child, filled with wonderment and discovery. She so enjoyed being out in God’s creation on adventure with her husband experiencing each new day anew.
Michele is survived by her loving husband, Edward; her mother, Helen Massey; daughters, Jennifer (James Frederick) Schrader, Joy (Drew) Mooney, Stephanie (Ryan) Williams, and Lillian (Jerod) June; her siblings, Daniel (Nancy), Mark, Patricia (Mike), Stephen (Mary), Veronica (Rick), Laura (Mark), Susan (Gary), Paul (Tanya), and Zilton (Angelica); her grandchildren, Aria, Theodore, Asheron, Dylan and Lucy; and her many nieces and nephews. Michele is preceded in death by her father, Donald Massey.
Visitation for Michele will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971, and again from 1:00 until 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Terrace Shores Evangelical Free Church, W3278 Co Rd K, Markesan, WI 53946.
A funeral service for Michele will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Terrace Shores Evangelical Free Church, with Pastor Gary Zacharias officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lake Lundgren Bible Camp, N18250 Lake Lane, Pembine, WI 54156, (online at www.llbc.org/new/donate-now/), or Michele would appreciate a tree planted in her name via www.ButzinMarchant.com.
