1921 ~ 2018

Martha Lilly (Brown) Michel was called to her heavenly home on Monday, July 9, just three weeks after her 97th birthday. She was a long-time resident of the Colorado Springs area,having moved here in 1947 with her husband, Dr. Lester A. Michel, who taught chemistry at Colorado College for 36 1/2 years.

Martha was born on June 15, 1921, in Tientsin, China to Rev. Oral C. Brown, Sr. and Dessie Emmert Brown, who were Methodist missionaries there. The family moved back to Indiana in 1923, where Martha grew up. She attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis where she won first place in high jump, triple jump, and long jump in a city-wide track meet at age 16. Martha and Lester met at Taylor University in southern Indiana, fell in love, and got married on Nov. 1, 1942. Martha graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Home Economics and Physical Education.

Following the end of World War II, they headed west to Colorado because Lester wanted to live near the mountains. In 1952, they bought property in Ivywild, on the south side of Colorado Springs, where they built their family home with help from both sets of parents. They lived there for 52 years. They also built a cabin near Westcliffe, CO on property they bought in 1961 where they spent many happy family vacations.

Martha and Lester were lifelong members of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs and also long-time members of the Colorado Mountain Club. Martha climbed 34 of the 14ers in Colorado. She was an avid golfer as well. She played her last golf match on an outside course in 2010, but she fell in love with the game of Wii Golf and regularly beat nearly everyone who would dare to play against her.

Martha walked around the small lake at Namaste’ Alzheimer Center with Lester on a daily basis. After Lester died, Martha continued to walk around the lake. By October of 2009 Martha completed 10,000 miles, a feat celebrated by many family members and friends.https://youtu.be/wamN9enBaGU

Martha is survived by her five children, Dr. James Michel of Carmel, CA, Janet Michel (Pam Prince) of Colorado Springs, Barbara Michel Gabbert (Philip) of Dallas, TX, Kenneth Michel (Debbie) of Fredericksburg, VA, and Stephen Michel (Carmen Ritz) of Ignacio, CO, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her 18 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester, of 56 years, three brothers, a sister, and both parents, along with an infant great granddaughter.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, 420 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Memorial contributions may be given to Namasté Alzheimer Center, Colorado Springs, CO, Taylor University, Upland, IN, or FUMC, Colorado Springs, CO, in her honor.