Memorial

Gregory George Michel Jr., 83, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at his summer home in Minong, Wisconsin.  A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, with a visitation beginning an hour prior, at St. Jude Catholic Church. A burial will follow the service and take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Gregory was born on July 24, 1940, to Gregory and Mabel (neé Silver) in Cedar Rapids. He was a member of the first class to graduate from Jefferson High School in 1958.  Gregory was united in marriage to Glenda Hoff on February 16, 1963, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.  

Greg LOVED the outdoors.  He was an avid hound man and owner of Plott Hounds and Treeing Walker Coonhounds for 58 years.  Greg was a member of the first sanctioned bear hunt with hounds held by the State of Wisconsin DNR in October 1964.  Besides spending summers in Wisconsin, he loved spending winters on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida.  

He retired after 45 years from the family-owned business Rapids Vending Co.

He was a charter member of St. Jude Catholic Church and the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 60 years, Glenda; children, Amy and Brian Steffen of Cedar Rapids; Greg and Debbie (neé Clark) Michel of Vonore, TN; Alicia Michel and Paul Babcock of Cedar Rapids; Glenn and Gesa (neé Clasen) Michel of Crested Butte, CO; grandchildren, Andrew and Mellisa (neé Fox) Steffen of Cedar Rapids; Elizabeth Buchheim of Seattle, WA; Vincent Michel and Yvon Michel both of Crested Butte, CO; great grandchildren, Clara and Colin Steffen both of Cedar Rapids.  Also surviving are his brothers, Don and Sue Michel of Cedar Rapids; Bob and Barb Michel of Cedar Rapids; and Dan Michel of Georgia.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Pat Kirk and Mary Ann Denny; and his brother, Gary Michel.

In Greg’s honor, memorial donations may be directed to the family who will be donating to a charter organization.