Michele Marie McClanahan

Michele Marie McClanahan, of Huntingdon, TN entered eternal life on Tuesday morning, November 19, 2024, at the age of 53. She passed away peacefully at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, surrounded by family and comforted by the joy of a Packers victory.
Born May 2, 1971, in Manitowoc, WI to Judy (Kopidlansky) Denor and the late Leonard "Ace" Denor, Michele grew up on a dairy farm in Taus, WI as the youngest of nine siblings. Her early years were filled with laughter, mischief, and love. She attended elementary and middle school at St. Joseph Catholic School, Kellnersville, WI, Monroe High School, WI, and graduated from Novi High School, MI in 1989 just before relocating to Los Angeles, California where she attended Cerritos College.
She married her next-door neighbor, the late Tim McClanahan in 1994 and welcomed their only child, Katelyn "Katie" "Kat" McClanahan in 1995. Michele built a successful career in medical administration, most recently serving as Senior Managing Director at Forensic Psych Group. Beyond work, Michele and Tim shared a passion for kart racing, a love she continued after his passing in 2020, becoming a valued member of SKUSA and TSRS. After spending nearly 4 years in Smithville, TN, Michele found love again with her partner, Brad Haynes, who brought her an unparalleled amount of joy, support, and love – So much so that she relocated one last time to Huntingdon, TN in 2021.
Michele will be remembered for her smile that shined as bright as the sun, the care she toiled for all, and her ability to light up any room she stepped in with her beauty, kindness, and unforgettable laugh. She cherished life's simple pleasures and her strength, humor, and devotion have left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
Survivors include her daughter Katelyn "Katie" "Kat" McClanahan, New York, NY, her boyfriend Brad Haynes, Huntingdon, TN, her mother Julia "Judy" (Kopidlansky) Denor, Manitowoc, WI, her 4 brothers and sister-in-laws Tom (Sue) Denor, Manitowoc, WI, Paul (Bonnie) Denor, Cato, WI, Joe (Tammy) Denor, Taus, WI, Tim (Kelly) Denor, Reedsville, WI; 3 sisters and brother-in-laws Susan Denor Gonzalez, Manitowoc, WI, Pat (Arlie) Olp, Reedsville, WI, and Jane (Layne) Martineau, Lancaster, CA; 7 nephews and 5 niece-in-laws, Jason Freund, Josh (Amanda) Denor, Alex (Anya) Lopina, Nathan (Angelika) Freund, Jordan (Lynea) Olp, Brian (Amanda) Denor, Logan Denor; 6 neices and 6 nephew-in-laws, Nichole (Dan) Diedrich, Lindsay (Ryan Covel) Lopina, Samantha (Matthew) Fischer, Amanda (Brandon) Kolbeck, Stephanie (Oscar Pineda) Gonzalez, and Jenna (Nick) Krepline; Father and Mother-in-law Ben & Jo (Limaco) McClanahan; Brother-in-law Ruben (Tammy) Gonzalez; In-laws Tina McClanahan, Jessica Wright, Marcus Wright, Sherrie (McClanahan) Fleming, Teresa McClanahan, Alexander (Dylan) Haynes-Gooch, Cydnee Haynes, and Bradleigh Haynes and an uncountable amount of grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles.
She was preceded in death by her father Leonard "Ace" Denor, grandparents Joseph and Mary (Gerl) Denor, and Albert and Mary (Radey) Kopidlansky, husband Tim McClanahan, sister Maria (Denor) Dolan, brother-in-laws Joseph Freund, David Dolan, and Phil Flemming, sister-in-law Lisa McClanahan, and nephew Andrew Gonzalez.
Michele's family would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Stephen M. Schleicher, MD, MBA, and the staff at Tennessee Oncology for their exceptional care, compassion, and dedication throughout her battle with cancer. We are forever grateful for the time we had with her thanks to the level of care they provided and exercised to extend her life with all of us. A special thank you to Holy Family Memorial, Froedtert Hospital MICU, and all the family and friends who offered limitless support and love to Michele. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Details for service and celebration of life will be announced at a later time.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com. The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home Manitowoc location, is assisting the McClanahan family with arrangements.
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