Sister M. Laura Michels, SNJM
Janice Michels
January 3, 1942 – February 7, 2018
Sister M. Laura Michels, SNJM departed this life February 7, 2018, at Hospice of Spokane House, Spokane, Washington.
Sister Laura celebrated 76 years of life and 56 years of her religious profession.
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Memorial Video of Sister Laura Michels, SNJM
Sister M. Laura Michels, SNJM
Janice Michels
January 3, 1942 – February 7, 2018
Sister of the Holy Names M. Laura Michels (Janice Catherine Michels) died in the early evening of Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at Hospice of Spokane House, Spokane, WA.
Sr. Laura was the fourth child and only daughter born to John Michels and Catherine E. Sziller Michels. Born in Chicago, IL, on January 3, 1942, the family settled in Veradale, WA, before Sr. Laura began first grade. Her early education included St. Francis Xavier School and Holy Names Academy in Spokane.
Sr. Laura was accepted into the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (Marylhurst, OR) in the summer of 1959; she pronounced perpetual vows in 1966. Her education continued at Ft. Wright College (Spokane) where she completed a B.A. in Education, and in 1970 she completed a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington (Seattle).
Sr. Laura’s early ministries included elementary classroom teaching and leadership as principal at parish schools in Seattle, Everett and Bellevue. In 1983, she attended the Institute for Spirituality and Worship (Berkeley, CA) which shifted her ministry focus to working with and among young adults. She combined ministry at Gonzaga University as a member of the Campus Ministry team with responsibilities on the Sisters of the Holy Names NW Formation Team for their pre-novitiate program. Eventually her gifts were focused exclusively at Gonzaga University, where Sr. Laura ministered for over 30 years in some capacity with the Campus Ministry department. She loved her role as chaplain with the Women’s Basketball team and the Men’s Baseball team. She oversaw the preparation of liturgies and retreats; she expressed the desire to support young people as they learned the balance of education, sports, and spirituality for the full development of their person; she was especially prolific with poems and prayers tailored for a pre-game moment of prayer which highlighted her enthusiasm for the game and her support of the athlete.
Sr. Laura was deeply committed to her Holy Names community; she took time in 2000 to serve a six-year term on the leadership team for the then Washington Province. Many a Sisters’ community gathering enjoyed Sr. Laura’s rendition of a popular tune whose words were changed to match the occasion, or to learn her latest rap! Her gift with words and music will be missed, as will her enthusiasm, her infectious smile, and her profound love of people. She returned to Gonzaga in 2006 and left her position in early January as her on-going medical condition deteriorated.
Sr. Laura is survived by the members of her religious community, the extended families of her many nieces and nephews, and the many lives of which she was a part over her years at Gonzaga University. Sr. Laura was preceded in death by her parents and her three brothers: John M. Michels (Norma), James J. Michels (LaVina), and Michael F. Michels (Susan).
Vigil will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at 7:00 PM and Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 3:00 PM, both at St. Aloysius Church, 330 E. Boone, Spokane, Washington.