Michelle Bettendorf

Bettendorf, Michelle Jo Age 56, of Circle Pines passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 7, 2018. She was preceded in death by her mother, Georgia Meyer; and father-in-law, Robert Bettendorf. She will be sadly missed by her husband, James; her children, Dan (Patricia "PK") Bettendorf of Richfield and Jennifer (Jesse) Wold of Lino Lakes; mother-in-law, Margaret Bettendorf of Shoreview; sister, Debbie (Larry) Smith of Red Wing; and family Kathy Henry, Tom (Dianne) Bettendorf, Steve (Suzie) Bettendorf, Barb (John) Reber, Kathy (Brad) Henke, Rick (Nikki) Bettendorf; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Michelle was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in both North Platte, Nebraska and Rapid City, South Dakota before moving to the Twin Cities. She graduated from Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights in 1980. She met Jim in 1979; They married in 1981 and had two children, Dan and Jenny in 1983, and 1985.

Michelle worked at a variety of places throughout her career. In her early years she worked in nursing homes where she loved spending time with the elderly residents listening to their life stories, compassionately caring for them and being there for them so they did not have to be alone. Shortly after that she started and ran her own business providing daycare for children and families in the Blaine/Circle Pines area. She loved caring for all the kids and watching them grow throughout the years. She also loved being home for her own kids, Dan and Jenny, during those years. In 1998 Michelle began pursuing another dream of hers, which was to work in downtown Minneapolis. She liked the activity of the city, the impact she could have on large scale as a business analyst, and the community she found and would develop with her corporate peers, many of whom would become her lifelong friends.

Michelle loved to travel and often vacationed both near and far. Hawaii and the North Shore were two of her favorite places and two places she often visited. She loved the warmth of the sun, the sounds and smells of the ocean, the breeze off the lake, the flowers, wildlife and many adventures uniquely associated with each place. She also loved spending time with her family at Bob and Marge's cabin on Lake Wapogassett. In recent years Michelle was happiest spending time at home with her family and sitting out on their deck where she and Jim were surrounded by beautiful flowers and a cascading waterfall, often times enjoying the company of hummingbirds and her grand-dog Jake.
Michelle was a thoughtful and loving wife, mother and colleague. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Please join us from 12:00-2:00 for a gathering followed by the celebration of Michelle's life at 2pm on Saturday, October 13, 2018. BRADSHAW 4600 Greenhaven Drive at Hwy 96 (one mile west of 35E), White Bear.