Nancy Elizabeth Michels, 78, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family after a lengthy battle with ALS.
Born July 6, 1947, she was the eldest daughter of Paul and Lorene Miller. She grew up in Wathena, Kansas, with 10 siblings and attended grade school in Wathena. She graduated from Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, in 1965.
After holding several jobs in the St. Joseph area, she entered and graduated from Hillyard Technical School as a licensed practical nurse in 1969. She started her nursing career at Sisters Hospital in 1969, where she worked as a medical surgical nurse.
In 1974 she met her future husband, James “Jim” Michels, who was also employed there as a respiratory therapist. They were married on January 3, 1976 at Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in St. Joseph.
In 1983, she moved to the new campus of St. Joseph Hospital (Heartland/Mosaic). In the 1990s, she moved to Heartland West, formerly Missouri Methodist, where she worked on Sub-Acute Rehab and the pavilion. When Heartland West closed in 2004, she retired from Heartland West and started as one of the first nurses to work at Living Community nursing home in 2004, where she worked for eight years. Her entire nursing career spanned 43 years.
She was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir and was part of the Altar Society. She also made 270 donations of blood to the Community Blood Center.
Nancy enjoyed cooking, baking, and being with her family and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Miller; sister, Janice Miller; daughter, Lori; and grandson, Gage Belding.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Jim; her two daughters, Beth Donaldson (Mike) and Sara Michels Belding (Bill); four grandchildren, Mercedez and Kearah Donaldson, Dalton Belding, and Taylen Michels; and numerous siblings, nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Monday, April 13, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Parish Rosary 2:00 P.M. Sunday, April 12, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where the family will gather with friends 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church or St. Francis Xavier House of Bread.
