Michele Kay Brotzel

Michele Kay Brotzel, age 54, of Watertown and formerly of Big Stone City, passed away Friday, December 18, 2015, at St. William’s Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank with Rev. Marion Paulis officiating. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Casket bearers will be Nicholas Brotzel, Art Lee, Kenny Lee, James Boyd, Devon Schlumbohm, Steven Brotzel, Jr., Russ Porath, and Joan Porath. Honorary bearers include Michele’s grandchildren: Jaelyn Kay Schlumbohm, Della Kathleen Brotzel, Harriet Barbara Brotzel, and Grayson Brotzel, as well as her coworkers from Royal Insurance Company and Rausch Bros. Monument Company and all of Michele’s family and friends.

Michele Kay Brotzel was born on April 11, 1961, in Gettysburg, SD, to Lyle Lewis and Barbara Ann (Drovdal) Lee. She was baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville. Michele attended school in Ortonville, graduating from Ortonville High School with the class of 1979. On May 5, 1982, Michele was united in marriage with Steven Joseph Brotzel in Milbank.

Michele worked various jobs including Royal Insurance Company for eighteen years and most recently, she was employed by Rausch Bros. Monument Company in Big Stone City until ill health forced her into retirement in September 2006. Although Michele’s life was cut short by illness, she fought with courage and grace.

Michele enjoyed baking, fishing, traveling, and taking long walks. She cherished time with her family and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Left with Michele’s loving memory is her husband, Steven Brotzel of Watertown, SD; children: Nicholas (Machaela Cavanaugh) Brotzel of Omaha, NE; Melissa (James) Boyd of Watertown, SD; Natasha Brotzel (Devon Schlumbohm) of Sioux Falls, SD; three grandchildren with one on the way in April; step-son, Steve Brotzel, Jr. of Milbank, SD; one step-grandson; brothers: Mark Lee and Mike (Sue) Lee, all of Ortonville, MN; mothers-in-law, Helen Brotzel and Pat Brotzel, both of Milbank, SD; brother-in-law, Kenny (Stacey) Brotzel of Milbank; sisters-in-law, Mari Jo (Kim) Kosse, Julie (George) Mertens, Nancy (Tom) Meyers, Darla Brotzel, all of Milbank; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives, and friends.

Michele was preceded in death by her parents; Lyle and Barbara Lee; grandparents: Carl and Verna Drovdal and Jake and Blondina Lee; sisters-in-law, Rebecca Mach and Patty Lee; and father-in-law, Joseph Brotzel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, Grant County Combined Appeal, and Codington County Cares.