Janene Kay Michels

Janene Kay Michels of Walla Walla, Washington, passed away peacefully at her home on March 24, 2025, at the age of 74, after a short battle with Stage 4 liver cancer.

Janene was born on September 1, 1950, in Walla Walla to Leo and Evelyn McCracken. She spent the first 3 years of her life in Umatilla, Oregon. Her family then moved back to Walla Walla, where Janene went to Davis Elementary and Garrison Junior High, where she graduated from Wa-Hi in 1968. Janene then attended Walla Walla Community College, where she was a cheerleader and earned her AA degree. Janene transferred to Eastern Washington University, where she earned a BA degree in Physical Education. While at EWU, she met her future husband Mike. After graduation, Janene taught for one year at Colfax High School. Janene and Mike were married on June 16, 1973, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Walla Walla.

The couple moved to Walla Walla in the summer of 1973 because Mike accepted a teaching and coaching position at DeSales High School. Janene spent her first two years in Walla Walla as a teacher’s aide at Sharpstein Elementary. Janene was hired by the Walla Walla Catholic schools, where she taught at Assumption and DeSales schools for 41 years before retiring in 2016. Janene left a lasting positive impact on all the students she taught, all of the teachers she taught with, and all the parents she encountered. Janene possessed a God-given ability that allowed her to put people at ease and in good humor in a matter of minutes. Janene would help anyone, at any time, day or night. Janene would also talk to anyone, anytime, day or night! Everyone felt comfortable and valued in her presence.

After Janene and Mike retired, a large part of her life was devoted to her grandchildren with many trips to the park, school pick-ups, afternoon games, and wonderful memories of family vacations at Seaside, Oregon. Grandma’s house was always filled with laughter, pumpkin bread, and fun-filled Sunday dinners. A week before she passed, Janene prepared one of her famous Sunday dinners! She always put her family first. Janene’s passing leaves a huge gap in the lives of her family, her many friends, and the entire Walla Walla community.

Janene and her husband Mike would have been married 52 years this coming June. Janene is survived by her daughter, Heather Michels; her sons, Keith Michels (Brenda) and Chris Michels (Nichole); and four grandchildren, Natalie, Luke, Emma, and Colton. Janene also leaves behind her brothers, Dan McCracken (Elizabeth) and Gary McCracken, and sister, Patricia McCracken (Glenn).

A rosary will be prayed for Janene at Assumption Catholic Church on April 6, 2025, at 5:30 pm. Janene’s memorial Mass will be on April 7, 2025, at 12:00 pm, at Assumption Catholic Church. All those close to Janene (family, friends, and all former students!) are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of a remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, and daughter of God.

As Janene would say, “If you’re thinking about crying, Don’t Go There!”

Donations may be made in Janene’s name to Walla Walla Catholic Charities and Walla Walla Catholic Schools through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.