Theresa Colligan Michels, 88, of Lake Charles, La., passed away at 11:08 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in a local care facility.

Mrs. Michels was born June 2, 1934, in Church Point, La. She attended Sulphur High School and graduated from Sowela Technical School with her degree as a Licensed Nurse Practitioner. She began her career as an LPN at West Cal-Cam Hospital.  Throughout the years, she worked as a surgical nurse in Savannah, Nashville, Chicago, and Cincinnati, before settling back in Sulphur over forty years ago.  Mrs. Michels was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, where she was active with the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters and served as a Eucharist Minister.  Many referred to her as the “Yellow Lady”, as it was her favorite color.  She was also a past member of the Chase Law Wive’s Club while in Kentucky and was a longtime member of the Krewe de Nobless, serving as Queen in 2003.  Besides Mardi Gras, she loved to travel the U.S. and Europe with Monsignor DeBlanc and Father Ed Brunnert.  She enjoyed playing Pokeno with her friends, tending to her garden, especially her yellow roses, and loved to meet and talk to new people.  She was always pleasant and kind, and dearly loved by both family and friends.

Mrs. Michels is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard D. Michels; son, Edwin “Buddy” Ellender Jr.; daughters, Susan Ellender Borgman and Linda Ellender Schendel; sisters, Norma Goff and Caroll Portie; grandchildren, Heather Moreau (David), Kristen Ellender (Justin Richard), Mark Ellender (Ha), Jeff Ellender (Malarie), Jeremy Borgman (Susan), Danielle Sunderhaus (Nick), Justin Borgman (Julie), Lindsey Southwick (Charles) and Bayley Melzer (Jake); 17 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertrand and Louisanna Colligan; sister, Josy Colligan; brothers, Joseph, James and Cecil Colligan; son-in-law, Robert Schendel; and one great-granddaughter.

Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.  Father Levi Thompson will officiate.  Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Thursday at the funeral home from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Donations in her memory can be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to the Guardian House for their care and compassion given.