Ava W. Micheel, age 93, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, December 18, 2009, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Brookings, with interment at Argo Lutheran Cemetery near White. Visitations will be from 5-7 P.M. Monday at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Memorials may be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.


Ava Wilhelmina (Bremer) Micheel was born March 19, 1916, near Ord, Nebraska, to John George and Elsie Wilhelmina (Vogeler) Bremer. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mira Valley. Ava attended grade school at District No. 15 in the Mira Valley. She cared for children in an orphanage in Fremont, Nebraska, before marrying Martin Micheel on December 12, 1943. They farmed northwest of White until 1975, but continued to live there until they moved into Sunchase Apartments in Brookings in 1989. Martin died February 3, 1992. Ava remained living there until a move to United Retirement Center in Brookings where she passed awat under hospice care.

Ava was a long time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Argo Township, and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Brookings. She enjoyed working with young children and especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing for her children when they were young.

Survivors include a son, Virgil (Mary) Micheel, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a daughter, Ruth (Carl) Madsen, of Milwaukee; six grandchildren; Jonathan (Cheryl) Micheel, Sarah (Michael) Seifert, Jessica Madsen, Nathan Madsen, Philip Madsen, Melissa Madsen; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Lois Micheel, of Brookings; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; five brothers; and a sister.