Lorraine Lillian Michaels

Born February 15, 1934, in L’Anse, a daughter of Nelson and Mary (Evancheck) Bordeleau,

Lorraine was a lifelong resident of Baraga County. Following her graduation from high school, Lorraine worked for two years in the Medical Records Department of the Baraga County Memorial Hospital, all the while saving her money so she could enroll in nursing school.

With her savings in hand, Lorraine entered St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Hancock. Already possessing determination and persistence, Lorraine now pursued the needed skills to accomplish her dream of becoming a nurse.

For over 23 years, she served as a registered nurse with the Baraga County Memorial Hospital, retiring in March of 1994.

In the late 1950s, Lorraine met Ellery Michaels, whom by her own admission she saved from being a bachelor. The couple was united in marriage on July 1, 1961, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in L’Anse.

They made their first home in Keweenaw Bay where they resided for over 50 years. In the mid 1960s, Ellery and Lorraine started their family which would include two sons, and as the years went on they enjoyed attending all their son’s sporting events.

Attending Michigan Tech hockey games and family games of pinochle were especially fun and memorable family occasions, which the boys thoroughly enjoyed with mom and dad.

When Ellery passed in 1986, Lorraine was left raising her sons and continuing to balance her roles of mom, homemaker, and family provider. All of which she did very well.

As her sons left home and embarked on their own lives, another dimension, especially sweet, developed – grandkids!

Now, Lorraine could focus on the activities of her grandchildren, always interested in what they were doing and attending their sporting events.

She loved watching her granddaughter figure skate, which brought back memories of her own youth when she skated.

Other interests and hobbies included gardening, figure skating, dancing, and working crossword puzzles.

Lorraine was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Baraga and the Michigan Nurses Association.

Lorraine is survived by her sons, Thomas (Stacey) Michaels of Saginaw and Lyle (Amy) Michaels of Marquette; her grandchildren, Dr. Ross (Kaitlyn) Michaels and Karli (Nate) McMullen; great-grandchildren, Eden Lorraine Michaels and Ezra Thomas Michaels; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ellery; sisters, Doris Miron and Jane Bordeleau; and brothers, Harold and Ted Bordeleau.

Honoring her request, no services will be scheduled.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com