MICHELLE M. WOLFER

MICHELLE M. (KAEPPEL) WOLFER, 53, of Fort Wayne, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. Born Jan. 9, 1964, in Houston, Texas, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Christopher Kaeppel and Mary Kaeppel. She attended Baylor University and received a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from Purdue University. Michelle was the director and teacher of the preschool at St. Michael Lutheran Church for 19 years, taught art at Emmanuel St. Michael Lutheran School, and coached cross country at the grade school and high school level. An avid distance runner, she ran in and completed numerous marathons, including the 2016 New York City Marathon in November. She also enjoyed painting, sailing on Lake Wawasee, flower gardening, traveling, supporting the arts, developing early childhood curriculum, loving her numerous pets at home and in the classroom, and spending time with her family. She has inspired hundreds of people, including students, student-athletes, and an online twitter running community where she coached hundreds of runners from all across the world. Surviving are her mother, Mary; husband, Stephen; sons, Zachary and Nicholas Brumbaugh; stepchildren, Michael (wife, Katie) and Lauren Wolfer; sister, Christy Day (husband, Kevin); brother, Colin Kaeppel (wife, Catherine Colangelo); and nephews, Jason Karahan, Travis Day and Julian Kaeppel. Funeral service is 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at St. Michael Lutheran Church on Getz Road, Fort Wayne, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. Visitation also from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at the church. Pastor Reed Lessing officiating. Preferred memorials to St. Michael Lutheran Preschool and the IU Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Ind. Arrangements entrusted to Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne. Condolences may be left online at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com