Marie Louise "Mary Lou" Michelson

Mass of Christian Burial for Marie Louise “Mary Lou” Michelson, 94, of Marshall, will be Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood. Visitation will be from 8:30 until 10:00 a.m. before the service at the church. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Marie Louise (Rogge) Michelson was born on Wednesday, August 8, 1928, in Ghent, MN, to Henry and Leona (VanOverbeke) Rogge. She grew up and attended school in Ghent in her early years, then the family moved to Marshall.

Marie Louise, affectionately known as Mary Lou by family and friends, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, peacefully at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center with family at her bedside at the age of 94 years, 5 months, 10 days. She is survived by her husband Mike of 74 years; seven children Dennis and Jan Michelson, Mark Michelson and Joseph Saavedra, Chuck and Judy Michelson, Jackie and Jan Zimmerman, Lynette Dickson, Jeff and Michelle Michelson, and Steve and Julie Michelson; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, and eight brothers.

Mary Lou and her husband Melvin “Mike” were married on July 21, 1948, in Marshall. The couple made their home and raised their family in Cottonwood. Mary Lou stayed home and took care of their seven children and worked at Empire State Bank in Cottonwood. Mike and Mary Lou were Charter Members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood where Mary Lou was very active as a member of the St. Mary’s Parish Circle and choir. Mary Lou took pleasure in visiting and baking for her friends and elders in the community. Mary Lou and Mike took many trips with family and friends. Mary Lou was delighted when she could spend time gardening, taking care of her flower beds, and bird watching, especially her cardinals. Mary Lou enjoyed sewing and quilting, which she learned from her mother and mother-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood in Mary Lou’s name.