Danny Lynn Michel, a loving husband, father, grandfather and trusted friend, died July 26, 2025 after battling cancer. He was 76 years old.
Born December 24, 1948 in Shenandoah, Iowa at Hand Hospital to Frederick "Freddy" Gerhard and Leora May (Jochim) Michel. He was raised on the family farm located on The Michel Mile west of Northboro, Iowa. He spent his youth enjoying farm life with his sister Peggy and many cousins. Danny attended Hillsdale Country School until its closing. He often laughed and told that he did not get any recess until third grade because he could not remember to call the teacher “Miss Michel” instead of “Aunt Anna”. He graduated from Farragut Community Schools in 1967. After high school, he went on to Northwest Missouri State College and graduated in 1971 with a B.S in Vocational Agriculture Education. Danny married Lois Means on May 23, 1971. This union created three beautiful daughters that were his pride and joy. Angela (Brad) Michel Tice, Amy (Jerome) Michel Bahm, and Stacy (Justin) Michel James.
Much of Danny’s employment had been in agriculture related areas. His job with Wilson Foods took the family to Fonda, Iowa. Danny and Lois divorced in 1984 and his daughters continued to live in Fonda. Danny moved back to southwest Iowa and worked as a farm manager. He married Marne Sober Johnson on July 1, 1989. Through this marriage he gained a bonus son Chad Johnson and daughter Katie (Rob) Johnson Livingston. Danny loved children and one of his greatest joys was getting to help raise his granddaughter, Samantha Johnson.
As well as a loving family man and trusted friend, Danny was an avid nature lover and hunter. He had a great talent for calling in ducks and made many lifelong friends traveling the duck migration from Canada to Mexico. Danny found solace and joy in the early morning hours spent in the duck blind, sharing stories and laughter with friends and family.
Danny is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Marne; daughters Angela (Brad) Michel Tice of Thompson Station, Tennessee, Amy (Jerome) Michel Bahm of Clarkson, Kentucky and Stacy (Justin) Michel James of Orangevale, California; step children Chad Johnson of Lincoln, Nebraska and Katie (Rob) Johnson Livingston of Council Bluffs, Iowa; grandchildren Samantha (Allen Jewell), Mikayla (Tyler) Tice Harris, Collin, Ethan, and Brayden Tice; Devin James; Emma, Isabel, and Greta Livingston; great grandchildren Grayson and Sayge Villanueva, Easton Johnson and Wrenleigh Jewell; sister Peggy Michel Doane of Altoona, Iowa, other relatives and a host of friends.
Danny’s passion for duck hunting extended beyond the sport itself. He cherished the camaraderie of the hunting community and the time spent outdoors. He was known for his infectious laugh, storytelling abilities, nonstop jokes, and generosity, If you needed help, Danny was there. His love for the outdoors and kind spirit will be deeply missed.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in rural Northboro. Burial will follow in the St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. There will be open visitation at the funeral home, without the family present on Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to honor the church he grew up in. The family is hosting a reception following the graveside services at the Waterfall Event Center in Farragut from 11:30 until 1:00 p.m. Danny loved a good sandwich, cookies and lots and lots of ice cream.
