Michele Andre
August 26, 2012
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Service Details
Michele Jean Andre was born February 28, 1950, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Guy and Virgie (Hardcupp) Andre. She passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 25, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.
Michele worked over 35 years at Iowa Workforce Development, most recently as a Bureau Chief for Quality Control. She had a passion for music. Her favorite place to be was listening to music while sitting on the shores of Lake Okoboji. Michele cherished every moment she had at the lake. Music was her medicine. She would get lost in the music and find perfect peacefulness. Michele loved life and all the beauty in it. She surrounded herself with bright colors, beautiful flowers and her family she cherished. She would never turn down an opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren, and never wasted an opportunity to laugh and smile. Michele had a very selfless heart and soul. She was always there when her friends and family were in need.She touched so many hearts and people during her lifetime. Such an amazing mother, Shelshel to her grandkids and friend…she truly will be missed.
Michele is survived by her son, Andre Carroll; daughter, Jordana Andre; grandchildren, Hayden, Kirsten, Quentin, and Avery; mother, Virgie Andre; and sister, Kathy Wegman. She was preceded in death by her father, Guy S. Andre.
The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 30, 2012, at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1615 N. 15th Street in Fort Dodge, Iowa, followed by burial at Corwith Cemetery in Corwith, Iowa. To honor Michele, per the family’s request, please wear bright and cheerful attire to celebrate her life.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Jacki
09/11/2012
Someone very close to me will never get to know Michele and that reality breaks my heart. We only met her once, but she was a very strong and wonderful woman from what very little time we did get to spend with her. She was virtually a stranger, but she will forever be in my heart just because of the kind words she did give to me in the brief time I knew her. RIP Michele. You were taken from our lives MUCh too soon.
Lynne Brokaw
08/31/2012
There are very few people in life that make a positive and significant impression on your life. Michele is that person. Her warm positive personalty and real life spirit will be missed. I feel so very lucky to have known her. My sympathies to all she touched, but how lucky we all have been to have known her.
Sheryl Eckhardt
08/31/2012
Andre & Jordana, well we made it through these difficult days and I am so proud of how you both handled everything in light of your immense pain and I know your Mom is very proud of you too and is probably saying - yep, I taught them well. Michele was everything to me for the past 30 years - co-worker, mentor, supervisor, best friend and I loved her very much. She was a phenomonal person in every way and you could not have been more blessed to have her for your Mother. Let's always remember how blessed we were to have her for as long as we did and remember I'll always be there for you both whenever you need me. I love you both.
Anita Cramer
08/30/2012
To Jordana,
My mother was my best friend. When I lost her to cancer I felt that a big part of me had died too. No one can take your Mother's place but if you ever need to talk to someone who has been there, please know that I will listen. Here is my phone number if you ever need it. (515) 408-3303.
Anita Cramer
Bob & Linda Christensen
08/30/2012
What can we say? Nothing to ease the present pain, I am sure. But please take comfort in knowing the good person she was. We are members of the same condo association in Okoboji, where she would so proudly have her family with her. She was always friendly and we enjoyed her very much. So sorry......
sandra skophammer altman
08/29/2012
Michele and I were neighbors way back in junior and senior high school...I lost touch with her after that.....but I do remember her love of music and she could play a "really mean violin," I was so jealous.....
my sympathy to all of her friends and family
Jane Clark
08/29/2012
Michele's Family:
Sorry to hear of your loss.She was such a pleasure to work with at IWD.Will keep you all in my prayers in this time.
Lee Luther
08/29/2012
Michele was the gold standard for what all state employees should be. I only met her once, and that was just for a few minutes at a meeting in Des Moines some years ago.
But in my job as a Workforce Development employee in Waterloo and Waverly, I talked to her on the phone literally hundreds of times over the last 30 years.
If there was a problem or question relating to unemployment benefits, Michele was the premiere go-to person in the state. If she couldn't take care of the problem herself (and she almost always could), she would know the right person who would be able to help. And, as others have already mentioned, she was always so willing and cheerful in helping you, somebody I always looked forward to speaking with.
A number of years ago, Michele was named Workforce Development's Employee of the Year. I thought then how the agency got it absolutely right in giving her that award. I also thought Michele was somebody who could be named Employee of the Year every year and it would still be appropriate.
I am so sorry for your loss. Michele was a treasure to work with.
Beth McCartan
08/29/2012
In your saddness my there be hope...In your thoughts may there be peace...In your hearts my there be healing.
Thinking of you with deepest sympathy.
Lois Wickett
08/29/2012
Andre, Jordana and families.
When we lose someone we love, it seems that time stands still.
What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why she left this earth so soon, or why she left before you were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, you begin to remember not just that she died, but that you lived. And that her life gave you memories too beautiful to forget.
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.
I am a former co-worker and also with the group that went out to dinner each month.
Alicia Lewis Maclean
08/29/2012
Andre & Jordana
You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Your Mom raised you to know her unconditional love, to be strong & brave with the challenges of life & to live that life with honesty & dignity while adding joy & laughter to the mix.
Go and make her proud!
Jim Van Syoc
08/29/2012
To Michele's family....You have my deepest sympathy. I am another long-time co-worker of Michele and I can tell you that she will be deeply missed by all that worked with her. She was a person of great integrity and she always worked with her greatest effort until the job was done and done well. While doing this she always displayed great compassion and a willingness to help anyone who requested it. God bless each of you and I pray that He will give you the strength needed to face each day.
Doni Gould
08/28/2012
To Michele's family...For reasons unknown to us, God has decided to call one of his angels home. I'm sure Michele did a lot of God's work while here on earth. Be proud of this woman and celebrate her life. Peace be with you.
Sharon Wolfe
08/28/2012
To Micheles familyIm very sorry for your loss. I worked with Michele for over 30 years. I remember when she told me about buying the home at the lake. She was so happy! I wish she could have had more time to spend there. She was great to work with, too. Always there with a smile and a willingness to help. She will be missed.
Mark Mayer
08/28/2012
I posted this on Facebook Monday: Sunday I lost a close freind and it hurts. We had been friends 40 year ago and reconnected when she bought a house at the lake. She was caring, generous to a fault and strong no matter what problems she faced. Through it all she still managed to smile most of the time. If you knew her high school, college or from the lake pray for Michele Andres family today.
I only wish she would have had more time to enjoy life.