Alta Arlene Michels, 82, Sturgis, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at her home in Sturgis.

Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Family will be present from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 9, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Rev. Michael J. Fox officiating. Burial will follow at the Bear Butte Cemetery.

Alta was born at Raymond, SD, to Albert and Mary (Mehlberg) Tschappat on July 19, 1928. She was the youngest of five children and spent many wonderful summers in Iowa with her older sister, Mrs. Dorothy Johnson. She graduated from Clark High School in 1947.

Alta married Dean Michels at Clark, SD, in 1948. The couple farmed until 1951 when they moved to Lead, SD, where Dean worked for the Homestake.

Alta was an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, the ladies circle and quilting group. She was also a member of the Senior Center in Lead.

After Dean retired in 1991, they moved to Sturgis where they were members of Grace Lutheran Church. Alta was an active volunteer at the Sturgis Senior Center and the Thrift Store.

Alta always had her sewing tote with her. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, gardening, pinochle, bingo and playing online computer games and crossword puzzles.

She had fond memories of winters in Florida living in their 5th wheel. She also enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, camping, and spending holidays and summer vacations with the grandkids and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Gary (Therese) Michels, Omaha, NE; two daughters, Jeanne (Larry) Hoffman, Sturgis, and Diane Will, Sturgis, SD; grandchildren, Jeremy (Holly) Will and their children, Cassidy and Addison, Hazelton, ND, Amanda Will, Austin, TX, Andy (Amanda) Hoffman, and their children, Kindina, Caleb, and Landon, Lead, SD, Heidi Hoffman, Sturgis, David Hoffman, Rapid City, Aaron (Nicole) Michels and their children, Audrey and Caitlin, Aurora, CO, Janel (Ben) Heitz, Tucson, AZ, and Laura Michels, Palmyra, PA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean in 2009, two sisters, two brothers and one grandchild.

Three words sum up Alta's life: Faith, Perseverance and Prayer.

Memorials have been established to the Grace Lutheran Church Radio Ministry and Hospice of the Northern Hills.

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