Michelle Louise Mockaitis Madsen Obituary (1985 - 2013)

Michelle Louise Mockaitis Madsen A special, beautiful and bright light was extinguished on July 3, 2013 with the passing of Michelle Louise Mockaitis Madsen, 28, of Spanaway, Washington. She was born January 29, 1985 to Major Joseph Peter Mockaitis and to the late Karen Elizabeth Hess Mockaitis, at Hill AFB, Utah. She was the 6th child in a blended family of 8. Michelle spent her childhood growing up in South Weber, Utah. Secretly, she married Joshua Ray Madsen, her high school sweetheart, on July 17, 2002 at the Davis County Court house in Farmington, Utah. She was a 2003 graduate of Northridge High School. Michelle was a 2010 graduate of Barton Community College in Fort Riley, Kansas with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science. Michelle loved to travel the world and experience different cultures, she traveled to England, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Alaska, Hawaii, Czech Republic, Venezuela, and Bermuda. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, kayaking, crabbing, anything outdoors. Among her many activities she ran in support of the "Wear Blue Run to Remember", an organization that supports and remembers fallen Soldiers and families of fallen Soldiers. Michelle was that friend you went to if you needed to paint a room, fix a car, calm a child down, pull you out of a bad mood or drive cross country or go on any vacation with you at a minutes' notice. She was ready willing and able to make a difference. Stationed in Germany where all the husbands were deployed and the young soldier's wives were alone, Michelle became the "Mother Hen" and drove the non-driving wives to meetings, doctor appointment, etc. She looked after the younger women and supported them in every way possible. Michelle was a fantastic cook and could whip up a gourmet Thanksgiving dinner by herself, that was sure to please. Her mashed potatoes were world class. Michelle was a poet and she wrote poems for all her family members and framed them with appropriate pictures as gifts. These gifts are cherished by all. She had this glow about her and just being in her presence was a joy. Michelle was such a wonderful person, you could never be sad around her. She brightened every room she was in. She is survived by her husband Joshua Ray Madsen of Spanaway, WA, her father, Joseph Peter Mockaitis, Major USAF (Ret), Clearfield, Utah, her siblings: Peter (Jami), St. George, Utah, Curtis, K.C. Harris (Colleen), Roy, Utah, Monica Mockaitis-Adams (Anthony), Clinton, Utah, Tiffany Thomas Nolan (Robbie), Maricopa, AZ, Marlise Weyburn (Nathan), Layton, Utah, Megan Mockaitis, Washington Terrace, Utah, and Corinne Mockaitis, Clearfield, Utah, Maternal Grandparents: Carol Hess Layton and Loyal Layton, Lake Havasu, AZ. Michelle was loved and adored by her many nieces and nephews and their wonderful Aunt will be greatly missed by all. Michelle loved animals and also leaves behind a Great Dane named "Baby", a Min Pin named Lexie, a cat named "Mo", 5 chickens and an African tortoise. Michelle was proceeded in death by her mother, Karen Elizabeth Hess Mockaitis. Michelle will be remembered for her kind and generous heart. She had unremitting loyal support for friends and family through good times and bad. She was unwavering in her support of her husband during his many deployments with the U.S. Army. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Myers Roy Mortuary, 5865 South 1900 West, Roy. A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. . VisitationMyers Mortuary - Roy 5865 South 1900 West Roy, UT 84067 July 12, 2013 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceMyers Mortuary of Roy 5865 South 1900 West Roy, UT 84067 July 13, 2013 11:00 AM