Leone Lucille Michel

Leone Michel, age 89, passed away on March 19, at her home at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines.

Leone was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she later met her husband, Anthony N. Michel. They made their home in Milwaukee until 1968, when they moved with their five children to the college town of Ames, Iowa, where they completed the joyful work of raising their family.

In 1984, Anthony joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. The couple lived there for many happy years until Anthony's death in 2020. After his passing, Leone moved to Des Moines, Iowa to be closer to family.
Leone attended Alverno College in Milwaukee, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Social Studies. She later continued her education at Iowa State University in Ames, where she received her master's degree in English Literature.

A dedicated educator, Leone taught at Iowa State University (1979-1983), Ogden High School (1971-1972), Des Moines Area Community College (1977-1981), Ames High School (1973-1980), and Hope Preschool (1971-1973). She was especially committed to helping students overcome obstacles to succeed academically, teaching in programs including Upward Bound, GED, Adult Diploma, and Title I.

Leone had a lifelong love of music and art. She was an active member of her church choir and sang with the South Bend Symphonic Choir. She also shared her passion for the arts as a docent at the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame, where she volunteered for more than 30 years. In 1999, she performed in H.M.S. Pinafore with the South Bend Firefly Festival for the Performing Arts, and in 2013 she appeared in The Sound of Music with the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. She was active in her community as a member of the Ladies of Notre Dame and Newcomers of South Bend. She and her husband, Anthony, shared a love of travel and enjoyed many opportunities to explore the world together.

Leone was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony; her parents, Andrew and Persis Flasch; and her brother, Andrew Flasch. She is survived by her children: Mary Reed (Vic), Katherine Jorgensen (Chris), John Michel (Leslie), Anthony J. Michel, and Patrick Michel. She was a loving grandmother to Julie Morocho, Lisa Hesse (Matt), Katherine Reed, Christine Reed, Leo Michel-Couture, and Katherine Michel-Couture, and a proud great-grandmother to four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters: Jean LaDew, Sister Andrene Flasch, and Joan Cooper (Cordes).

Leone will be remembered for her devotion to education, her love of music and the arts, and her deep commitment to her family. Her legacy lives on through the many students she helped guide and the family who loved her dearly.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28th at St. Ceclia's Church in Ames, Iowa, with visitation the hour prior starting at 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at a later date.