Ann LaRay Brown Michelsen
September 10, 1937 – July 21, 2022
A Life’s Tribute
By Her Husband
Ann, this is like an Ann’s Note, which so many here have received, because you felt them important and you cared.
Ann LaRay Brown Michelsen was born on September 10, 1937 in Hoytsville, Utah and at the age of 84 on July 21, 2022 she passed away in Spanish Fork, Utah. Ann LaRay Brown Michelsen, daughter of Lyle and Thelma, sister of Carol (Lyle), Charles (Judy), Harold (Penny), and Georgia (David); wife of Stanley, mom of Jeffrey (JoAnn), Shelly (Troy), Craig (Sherry), Bruce (Shauna), Heidi (Kay C), Nathan (Melissa), and your special Doris (Severin); grandma of 30, and great grandma of 40. You have proved yourself in mortality–and now get to go home. You sure have left a mark here: You and the 8 of your family graduated from BYU; you influenced the “becoming” teachers, and you were successful at Spanish Fork High and Provo High where you were named Teacher of the Year. In church, you served as Relief Society President twice, Young Women President in the ward and stake. The stake president didn’t even release you when you were called to serve a mission as Area Public Affairs Co-Director in the Caribbean. Then family history became super important with research and temple work. You continued with missionary zeal, serving as a worker in the Provo and Payson temples for 13 years.Then a short bout with aggressive cancer had us hearing you say “It’s been a wonderful journey in the Lord’s hands!” And from your tribute to your mother at her passing: “Dear Mother, so fragile and frail, patiently you sit in a raised position silently waiting for your entrance through the veil. Through the silken fabric of your apparel we watch your run-away heart each beat taking you further from us and closer to those who also wait.” Heaven has endured your absence 84+ years, many who are excited to see you again, and more for the first time. You will probably be assigned to be a Guardian Angel–your notes won’t cease. So, know you are important to us, we love you. You will be missed. A memorial stone will be in Hoytsville, where it all began.
A funeral service will be held Friday, July 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. located at the Spanish Fork 14th Ward Building, 1750 East 750 South, Spanish Fork, Utah. Family and friends may attend a visitation at the church on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services on Friday.
TO VIEW THE SERVICES VIA LIVESTREAM, PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE A FEW MINUTES PRIOR TO SERVICES BEGINNING AT 11:00 A.M. ON FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022 AND CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Alternate livestream link: https://youtu.be/qIb12yoCDqI
3 Condolences for Ann Michelsen
Condolences(3)
Duane A Hill says
July 24, 2022 at 2:50 pmStan and family, I’m so sorry for your loss, she was always so kind and loving. It was a pleasure knowing and working with her at PHS and at the Temple. She will surely be missed….
Phil Bloomfield says
July 24, 2022 at 2:57 pmOf hero’s and and angels, Ann was both.
Leslie Weight says
July 28, 2022 at 2:11 amMy Friend, My Leader, Ann Michelsen – also endearingly known as Sister Mic
When I think of Ann Michelsen, it brings joy to my Heart. I can’t help but smile a little and my mind fills with Happy Thoughts.
My first memories of Sister Mic are Young Women memories. Those were really Fun times and full of so much Love. Her laugh is what I remember first. Always seeing the humor in situations and being able to laugh at herself. Sister Mic was such a positive and wise person. She always looked for the best in me and helped me gain confidence to see the best in myself. She cared about me and took the time for me. She always knew what to say to help life seem ok. I know that I’m not the only young women who she did this for. That was the way Ann Michelsen was.
One time…well at least twice…Ann Michelsen invited me into her home to visit, or I stopped by…(I can’t remember which). I remember sitting on a bed in a room and talking for what now seems like hours. I remember another time sitting in her living room and talking. I must of taken hours of her time, but as a teenager I didn’t have a respectful concept of time. What mattered to Sister Mic was listening. She always found a way to make you feel better before you left and like you had confidence to face your problems.
It was upon her suggestion that I finally received my Patriarchal Blessing. She even gave me the Patriarch’s phone number and assured me that I did not need to be afraid. I think that she even had me calling from her house to make the appointment. I was on the road to getting my Patriarchal Blessing and it didn’t take long.
There were a few times that I tried the patience of my YW Leaders and Sister Mic dealt with it with patience and love. For some reason I thought it was fun to wake up in the middle of the morning at camp and then start making little noises to see if anyone else was awake. Soon 2 or 3 of us would be up whispering and talking until we had basically the whole tent up. I was a crazy teenager!!
One time we had a ‘campout’ at the Church where we were going to stay overnight. Somehow someone found out about it and kicked us out (or at least told us we couldn’t do it). Well, Ann Michelsen did not send us all home. She made room in her basement and let us stay there!! After my 2 o’clock wakeup of everyone, I’m not sure that Brother Mic liked that very much (or Sister Mic for that matter) but they endured us and loved us. Although, I’m not sure that they wanted to do that again ever HaHa.
Sister Mic was always good for a compliment to help me feel good during my awkward teenager low feelings about myself moments. She noticed when I did good things, such as sharing my hat with another young women or when I helped save a tent from getting flooded at Lake Powell. She also complimented me on my alto voice once so that made me want to sing and harmonize with greater effort. Ann Michelsen was a people builder.
When I was going through some rough times in High School with relationships, she allowed me to come into her classroom before school for quick visits. Those visits were a valuable way to start my day in high school with someone who I loved and respected. She took the time for me at her own expense. I sometimes now wonder if she got behind on a lesson plan or two (or more) but if she did, I never knew it. I think she knew how to encourage and then gently let me know when it was time to go to school. It’s Amazing that there was a Leader and Friend who was willing to do that for me.
I would not be surprised that Ann Michelsen is one of the main reasons I survived my teenager years. I was truly blessed to have her as a YW Leader. I was a scared of life teenager and didn’t think that I was as good at things as other teenagers. She believed in me and my talents and helped me to see differently. She helped me feel loved.
After I came back from a mission, she and her wonderful Brown sisters (Carol and Genevieve) gave me the privilege of staying with their Mother for a few weeks. Thelma Brown had broken her leg and needed someone to be with her at home during the week. What a blessing to hang out with Thelma Brown. That experience was Amazing!!! I could see where Ann Michelsen got her kindness and humor from. By giving me the opportunity, Sister Mic helped me feel trusted and respected. These wonderful people allowed me to stay with their mother!!
There have been many times when I have run into Stan and Ann Michelsen over the past few years. These sightings and visits have reminded me of what it must be like in heaven to see such dear friends who I look up to.
I ran into the Michelsens at Maceys and Walmart a few times. We were always happy to see each other and blocked the grocery aisles for a few minutes. When my nephew, Zachary Brown got married, we ran into the Michelsens at Kneaders. They were there with the Abrahams.
I can’t ever think of a time when I was unhappy to see any of these Stalwart Amazing people. People who helped us grow in confidence and Love.
One choice experience of seeing the Michelsens was in the Provo Temple chapel. I’m not sure who they were waiting for, but it was most likely a Family member or Friend getting their endowments. The Michelsens were sitting on the back row of the chapel and as soon as I saw them my heart leaped for joy! Hugs and joy were shared and I think it made me Happy for over a week!! It still makes me feel Happy!! I thought that occurrences like that are what Heaven must be like.
I’ll always remember Sister Mic and her smile. She brightened up life for me whenever she was around.
After we heard about Ann Michelsen being diagnosed with cancer, it was very heartbreaking for my Mom and I, and the other members of our family. Amazing, but growing up I never knew how close my Mother was to Ann Michelsen. I found out that they used to talk for hours, served together in CUB Scouts, and Relief Society. They were Visiting Teaching partners at one time. I guess I was so caught up in myself and my relationship with Sister Mic that I never considered that my Mom also had a Wonderful Friendship. But of course, that is Ann Michelsen. The friend who sincerely cared.
One day a couple of months ago, My Mom came across a note written by Ann Michelsen to her. I don’t remember right now what the note said, but it was full of true friendship and love for my Mother. After reading that note my Mother and I both had tears in our eyes. We know that many many people received sweet notes of gratitude and love such as these from Ann Michelsen. That was the way Sister Mic was. She loved everyone and treated them with kindness and she showed it.
We wanted to visit Ann Michelsen when we heard the sad news a few months ago. So did everyone else!!! In true character, Ann Michelsen made time for us at her own sacrifice of not feeling well. That Facetime phone call was a treasured memory that I will always carry with me of Sister Mic.
With a Deep Love I am so Grateful for the Wonderful Giving Spirit which Ann Michelsen blessed my life with. She is my mentor and friend. Now she is one of my angels. I will never forget her and I carry her in my Heart. I look forward to the Joyous reunion that I and so many others will have when we see Ann Michelsen again. She will always be close by. Especially for her family and also for her friends.
Sister Mic. Thanks for caring, for listening, for helping me become a better person, a young women with more confidence, someone wise and who always knew what to say, for the way you were comfortable to be around, for your humor of life, and most of all for your testimony and how you lived it every day.
I Love You Sister Mic !!! When the Heavens smile upon us, I know you are there.