I have had the extreme pleasure of knowing Jodi Michaels for the past 34 years as the mother of my best friend Shelly.  Jodi welcomed me into her home and her family from the very beginning and she always had a ready smile to share and wanted to know how things were going in my life.  

She was born to be a teacher and it is a joy to hear all the stories of how she influenced the lives of so many students through teaching and her involvement in school and community theater.  The world is a better place for all who were lucky enough to have known her.  Her love of life and fun was obvious in everything she did and it is gratifying to see how that has passed down to her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.  My condolences go to the entire family - thank you for sharing Jodi with me through our friendship.

Just like so many others I would have been ... heck I don't know where I would have been without Jody. She caught me by the back of my neck so many times there is still an imprint where her fingers took hold. I dialed 845-5556 so many times that even after having 5 kids of my own that number was as familiar as my own. I dialed  that number 7 years ago and just like no time had past she answered with that voice that was so familiar to me. It always sounded to me like she had just woken up. (that's the only way I can describe it) I said, "Hi Jody" and you know...after 22 years she said, "Hi Brian" right off the bat. I told her that my company was having its annual Christmas party and we going to see a play. She said she'd love to go. We went to dinner afterwards. I'd throw out a name like Kevin Morrow or Corky Gregson and she would tell me about the first time she had met them and the last time she had spoken to them. Then she would bring up names like Andy Kyllo, Marcus Reike, Gail McElroy or Marne Johnson. She had a mind like a steel trap. Do you all remember her charm bracelet? I could fill this book with all the stories she could tell about each and every student she met and loved. A very heartfelt thank you to the Michels family for sharing her all those years. Can you imagine what this ball of dirt would be like if every student could have known Jody as a teacher or director? I for one can tell you what it is like to have known her as a friend.

We send our deepest sympathy from all the Bartz (children) Families to all of the Michels (children)Families.  I have such fond memories of your mom and dad when you were all here in Livingston, Montana.  We lost our father (Carl Bartz) three months ago and do understand your loss.  Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.  We send you love, peace and prayers.

Jody was a treasure who I had the great opportunity to work with at Franklin Pierce High School.  She definitely enriched my time teaching there, and I will always remember her fondly.  She gave so much of herself, particularly to her students, but she did save some of herself for fellow teachers, as well.  I do so appreciate her full hearted love of life, and all she came in contact with daily!  She was an inspiration.

I always felt sorry for Mrs. Michels' family. She gave so much to us, I just knew she couldn't have anything left for her family at home. I was at Keithley for Calamity Jane, Where's Charlie, and Irene. In the summer of 9th grade we did Wizard of Oz at the Little Theater (not positive, but the one in Lakewood). After reading the lovely words of her grandchildren, I'm even more blown away by how much she gave to us of herself. She was effervescent. She inspired. Thank you for sharing your grandmother, mother, wife with us. We loved her too.

Jo Ann to those who didn't know her well, Jody to her friends, Mrs. Michels to many students, but most importantly mom and grandma. 
Now of all the fantastic things we should remember about Jody here are my favorites
First, and foremost, she loved her family more than anything.
Jody would sew little outfits for her daughter's dolls when they were children. Though she was not the greatest of seamstresses it always put a smile on the girl's faces to wake up in the morning to a doll sitting proudly in a new dress. 
As her granddaughter I knew I could always count on grandma for help. I remember one day I was away at college and short on funds and I really needed to do laundry. Grandma happened to call to see how I was doing and told her my situation. She had told me it would be no problem to give me $5 dollars so that I may clean underwear to wear. A care package arrived next day with a loaf of her famous banana bread and a card with a check for $150 and a little message telling me how much she loved me, how proud she was of me,  and that if all she could do was fund my laundry visits for the next few months than she would. 
Secondly, she loved to teach. Retirement for grandma just meant that her classroom got a wee bit smaller.  To teach is to touch a life forever and in the course of Mrs. Michels' career she touched many. These students were motivated so much that even after they had long surpassed her class they still returned to see the teacher that had inspired them the most. “Done is for Turkey, people are finished,” was one of her famous lessons. 
I love to write and I have grandma to thank for that. Grandma was always my proofreader when it came to writing just about anything. She would whip out her red grading pen and my paper would be returned with every other line marked with red corrections or suggestions. Even though it was work, writing papers with grandma was a special treat. It was an all day event, including a special lunch out and who could say no to that? The funny thing is, even as I stand here today, reading this epilogue to her life, I can picture her standing in the back of the room with that wide eyed smile on her face. She gives me the ok sign and nods her head. For if this had been a typical speech of mine Grandma would have made sure I didn't need a paper to read from it would have been there just for moral support.
Third, grandma loved to sing and dance. In her younger years she was even a part of a band. She sang, she danced, all the while playing the accordion. And that is only a glimpse of how amazingly talented she was.
Her children recall walking along downtown Puyallup on a typical rainy day skipping through streets, stomping in puddles all the while singing “singing in the rain”.
Needless to say, there isn't a memory I can recall that doesn't involve us singing and dancing. She loved to sing old tunes; she loved to sing with us along with the radio. Knee replacements didn't even keep her from dancing away with her grandchildren.
Lastly, Grandma loved to act. She not only acted in, but directed, and even just plain attended numerous amounts of plays/musicals. When I and my siblings were younger it was a special occasion to have dinner with grandma and attend a play on “Broadway” in Tacoma. Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing, Rent, and Forever Plaid were just a few that I recall having the privilege to attend. 
Then as I grew up and had a desire to act myself grandma went from proofreader to acting coach. Though, short lived in my life, for grandma acting would never cease. The saying “all the world's a stage” was definitely true for her. Whether we were playing a game of taboo over the holidays or just having to “fix her hair” and put on lipstick before exiting the house because for her an exit of her own home was an entrance onto the magnificent stage of life. 
It didn't matter to grandma if she would run into anyone she knew. She was not getting dressed up really for anyone but herself. The necklaces, the earrings, and oh yes the rings. Grandma Jody had one ring that I loved most of all; a beautiful sapphire ring, my birthstone. She used to let me try it on and admire it on my own finger. Every time I would do this she would say to me “when I die that ring will be yours someday.” I would laugh at her and reply “I'd rather have you!” Grandma, that someday has come and my reply is even more true now then it was then. I'd still rather have you.
Now, it has been awhile since I'd seen that spunk and love for life that was my grandma. The morning she passed it rained, and as I received that phone call I stared out my window and saw a rainbow faithfully glimmering in the sky. I couldn't help but think of an old song, from one of grandma's favorite musicals. That was Grandma Jody's rainbow guiding her home. It was a sign to us all that she is happy, with family, and once again singing and dancing like the young Jody once did. She has made it, somewhere, over the rainbow.

Condolences from our family to your family. Jody was a fabulous friend and mentor to so many people.  She always had a smile and time for everyone. I  felt like she was a part of our family and we part of hers. I wonder what play she will be acting and directing first in heaven? I bet its "Hello Dolly"!. 
Much love from the Neubauer - Alger family
Darcie Elliott

Life with Grandma was an adventure.  She was always an elegant mystery to me. She was so full of life and so much fun to be around.  Grandma had an energy about her.  She challenged everyone around her to be the best version of his or herself because she was the best version of herself.
All she could be was herself.  She wore loud print clothes, cooked with huge messes and danced.  Grandma lovingly accepted people for who they were.  Her life to me wasn't about all of the things that she said, although she said lots but about the things she did.  It is the singing, dancing and playing. It was spending the night at her house, eating sugar toast, going to see plays and concerts and dancing.
Grandma taught me so much about how to be myself and I so loved her for that.  She is so much a part of who I am even though I am so different from her.  It was hard not to catch her passion for a good play even if I was never a performer.  It is still impossible for me to not be concerned with my grammar (I will have to proof read this to be sure she would approve) and not love to write.  There is still not much I appreciate more than a well written book and a good musical. 
The last time I really talked to Grandma my family was visiting her. She was very sleepy but she woke up right away when she heard my 4 and 5 year old singing.  She looked at them and said "they are so beautiful."
Grandma's soul was beautiful.  It was youthful and free spirited but loving and wise.  
When I was sad about Grandma passing away, my four year old told me we should think of something good to dream about to help us feel better.  So she pictured a garden of bright colored butterflies and rainbow flowers.  I thought, Grandma would have liked it here. I am sure that today in Heaven amongst bright butterflies and rainbow flowers, there is a party and some wonderful toe tapping music has begun to play.  Grandma gets up and walks up to Jesus and says "we got to dance to this one; this is great song".
I am sad for us because we have lost an amazing mother, grandmother, teacher, performer, director and friend but Heaven has gained a beautiful soul. 
Our adventures will last a lifetime.

One day after a friend and I were acting up in class, she asked me to stay after class and she told me that I was wasting my potential and that if I didn't try out for the spring musical, that she was going to flunk me in 8th grade English. When I told her she couldn't do that, she looked me dead in the eye and said "You want to try me?"
Auditions were the next day and I was there and not only did I wind up getting a part, I wound up discovering a passion for drama that I carry with me to this very day.
She taught me about acting, directing the stage, speech tournaments, English (of course) and about life. I was her teacher's aide for two years and even did a couple shows outside of school and let's not forget the Puyallup Fair!
She was one of my earliest mentors!
Thank you, Jody, for changing my life.
Enjoy your final curtain call!
Encore! Encore!

RIP Mrs Michels... you were a teacher many will always remember for getting the best out of your students giving us values and work ethic that will always be with us. Thanks for all you did for me and many many other of your students. You have touched the world.

My thoughts and prayers are with your families. I am ever so grateful to have had you as a friend. I will never forget our little scholarship ceremonies with the Emblem Club & having the priveledge of working with your grand children in the haunted house. Love you & Miss you, Jodi!

Mrs. Michels was a teacher that I can say literally changed my life. She was able to instill confidence in everyone, and the years I spent in her class, the plays, the speech meets and assisting her in my high school years created a lifelong appreciation of the arts, and brought friendships to my life that have lasted a lifetime. My memories from jr. high are almost all focused on times/events that she made happen. A wonderful woman who guided so many teens through middle school...rough years for most kids. Not those who were blessed enough to cross paths with this amazing woman. She'll never know how many lives she truly touched. Thank you, Jody, for the crazy laugh and the warm hugs. As you enter His presence..."Break a leg!"

Mrs Michels taught me to love acting and take performing to a new level.  She was my drama teacher at Frankline Pierce High School and a great inspiration.  We ran into each other throughout the years.  We would pick up conversation as if time had stood still.  She is a woman of wisdom, intelligence and charisma that will be missed.  God bless her and her Family.  
Sincerely,
Doug and Michelle Lowe

I had the opportunity to live across the alley from Jody and her family as I was growing up in Livingston, Montana where she taught at the high school and was involved in the local Blue Slipper theatre and church there. She was kind of like a second mom to me. She was a wise and wonderful woman and though she will be greatly missed here, heaven has gained a treasure. She is probably already teaching and organizing kids!

Mrs. Michels was my teacher at Keithley Jr High in 1978.  She was a true inspiration to any one that had a chance to be in her classes or productions.  She made everyone feel like a star.

Grandma you were an amazing person and have changed my life in so many ways!! I will not forget the hugs the songs and oh the dances! We will see each other again someday!! And yes we shall sing and dance like we use to!!

My deepest sympathies to the family of Jody Michels.  I was so sorry to hear that Jody recently passed away.  She and I taught together at Keithly Junior High. I have always thought highly of Jody and felt that she was an outstanding teacher as well as a good friend.  We had some wonderful times together when we both were at Keithly.  Again, my deepest condolences.

I had the honor of having Mrs. Michels as a Teacher, Director and Actor. As an adult, we acting together in community theatre productions. She was an amazing Actor and Mentor. We kept in touch over the years, and she always had wisdom and life lessons that I applied to my life. She may never know the thousands of lives that she touched. She will forever be etched in our memories and hearts. I am sure she will be directing all her favorite shows in Heaven. I can hear her saying, "There is no such thing as a small part, just a small actor." "Steaks are done. People are finished." I love you Mrs. Michels. You changed my life.

I had the honor to have Mrs. Michels as a Teacher, Director, Actor and Friend. As an adult, I had the pleasure of acting with her is several community theatre productions. She was an amazing actor and mentor. We would speak a couple of times a year, and she was always full of wisdom and life lessons that I applied to my life. She touched thousands of people's lives, and her memory is forever scetched in our hearts. I love you Mrs. Michels. Thank you for being a significant part of my life. You will be missed....Have fun directing all your favorite shows in heaven...."There is no such thing as a small part, just small actors." "Steak is done. Peoplecare finished.". Lol

Mrs Micchels you always had a smile. When I had a problem you always made me feel better. You just had that way about you. Thank you fo being a part of my Life.

OBITUARY

Jo Ann Michels

December 12, 1929 – February 10, 2012

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