Michel, Ruth 1916-2005

MICHEL, SELLE, SIMMONS, BEASON, ERICKSON, CRISWELL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 8/12/2014 at 19:32:26

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Aug. 18, 2005

RUTH MICHEL

Ruth Michel, 88, of Grinnell, died Sunday, August 14, at Friendship Manor in Grinnell.

A graveside service was held Thursday, August 18, at the Westfield Cemetery near Grinnell.

She was born October 17, 1916, in Grinnell to Leonard and Cora Selle Simmons. She was reared in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1934.

In 1934 she moved to Chicago, Ill., and was later married to Harold Michel. While living in Chicago she worked as a cashier at a grocery store in her neighborhood until her retirement in 1981.

Ruth was a pioneer woman aviator and she maintained a pilot's license for many years. She enjoyed birds, cats and dogs and traveling to Florida and California.

She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Beason of Rogers, Ark., and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Bernard Simmons; and two sisters, Edith Erickson and Esther Criswell.