Patricia 'Pat' M. Michels

Patricia (“Pat”) Michels passed away on February 28, 2026, at Chalkstone Neighborhood, Avera Majestic Bluffs Yankton, South Dakota. Funeral services are pending and under the care of the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD. Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Patricia (“Pat”) Leone Mann Tarbell Michels was born August 1, 1932, in Watertown, South Dakota to Hal and Helen (Bronson) Mann. Both her father and mother died prior to her fifth birthday and Pat was selflessly and loving adopted by Wright and Alpha Tarbell. She grew up on Lake Kampeska and was extremely proud to be a Watertown Arrow as well as an SDSU Jackrabbit. She graduated from SDSU in 1954 and immediately began working for the South Dakota Department of Social Services Child Protection Division at Standing Rock, Cheyenne and Lower Brule reservations. She met and married James E. Michels on January 2, 1957 in Pierre where she continued to work outside the home a few more years then stayed home to care for her children. After she and Jim moved to Vermillion, Pat eventually received her Masters in Learning Disabilities from USD and began working at the Vermillion Middle School and eventually the High School serving those with learning disabilities. Pat was known as a tireless advocate for students attaining their dreams regardless of abilities and was constantly encouraging technical education training. Pat was very dedicated to her faith and served in various capacities at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Vermillion and later after moving to Yankton, Christ Episcopal Church. She constantly had a smile and an encouraging word and a loving hug for all. She was also lovingly known to never be on time for anything.

Pat is survived by her five children: Mark (Nancy), Campbell California, Matt (Karen) Yankton South Dakota, Mary Pat (Monte) Forsberg Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Margaret Randel Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Marshall (Lynette) Rapid City, South Dakota, along with her seven grandchildren and great grandchildren who all loved her very much.

Immense gratitude and thankfulness for the amazing loving and caring team at Chalkstone Neighborhood who took such care of Pat for over 5 years. Pat would want any gesture of memorial to her life to be simply: “Love One Another”.