Royal A. Michels

Royal A. Michels, 77, of Bellevue, died, Monday, March 17, 2008, at Finley Hospital in Dubuque. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Bellevue. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #273. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Kingery~Lemke Funeral Home and again, Thursday at church from 9:30 until service time. Royal was born on March 4, 1931, in Bellevue, son of Alfred and Esther (Schroeder) Michels. He married Carol Bierman on October 23, 1956 in Cassville, Wisconsin. He farmed all his life, he also worked for John Deere Dubuque Works for 13 years. He was in the United States Army-Air Force during the Korean War. Royal had a good sense of humor and enjoyed being outdoors working, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed bowling and playing cards. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fan. In his younger years he enjoyed dancing with his wife, Carol. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Surviving is his wife of 51 years, Carol Michels, of Bellevue; three children, Barb (Jeff) Michels, of Bellevue, Dale (Lori) Michels, of DeWitt, and Allan Michels, of Bellevue; eight grandchildren, Brad, Abby, Faith, Tiffany, Nathan, Samantha, Tyler, and Austin; and a sister, Thelma Giesman, of Bellevue He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Michels; and brother, Wilfred Michels. A Royal A. Michels Memorial Fund has been established. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Finley Hospital, especially the nurses in ICU for all their care and compassion. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lemkefuneralhome.net