Doris L. (Holdefer) Michaelson

Doris Michaelson died May 20, 2019 at age 88. Doris was originally from Bellevue, Iowa and was under the care of Hospice at Stonehill Franciscan Care Center, Dubuque.

Doris was born on February 1, 1931 to parents John and Florabel Holdefer in Humboldt, Iowa. She was the older sister to one sibling, John. Doris and her future husband were high school classmates and were also confirmed together in 1943 at First Lutheran Church in Humboldt, Iowa. After attending Iowa State, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education, she married Manly Michaelson on June 15, 1952. Doris taught Home Economics in Lytton, Iowa while her husband, Dr. Manly Michaelson, completed a one year of practice in Lytton, Iowa and then was recruited to practice medicine in Bellevue, Iowa where Doris had many relatives.   In 1958, Doris and Manly had a small office directly across from the American Legion in Bellevue and then moved to the most recent location with a beautiful view of the Mississippi river. Doris and Manly worked together in the office from 1958 until 1987. While Dr. Michaelson made himself available for house calls and emergency care at all hours even delivering babies at the Bellevue Public Hospital, Doris raised five children.

A working mother, Doris was involved in the community of Bellevue. She served on the Bellevue Community School board for nine years and was President for several years. Doris was an active member of the Republican Women’s Club and the Tri-State Home Economics organization. She and Manly were both private pilots and Doris had the distinction of being the first female float plane pilot in the state of Iowa. Doris enjoyed flying members of the community to see breathtaking Bellevue.   Doris and Manly both also utilized their private plane to transport multiple patients to Iowa City for additional care. Doris was also an avid gardener and a faithful follower of the Master Gardener program on WMT radio. Doris and her son Robert also enjoyed a placing trot lines in the Mississippi River.   She was also an enthusiatic supporter Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and the Hawkeye Marching Band. Doris loved the sound of Sousa marches and also had the opportunity to play under the guest conductor/famed composer Karl King while playing sousaphone in the band while at Iowa State.

Doris had such a wide array of interests but without question, her biggest passion was being a leader for the Weight Watchers. She attended her first meeting in Chicago with her husband and was so impressed that she drove 74 miles a week to attend Weight Watchers in Moline, IL. After losing 52 lbs and reaching goal in the early ‘70’s, Doris sought to become a leader for approximately fifteen years. At one time she had 13 classes per week covering Dewitt, Hanover, Bellevue, Maquoketa, Dubuque and even an “At Work” meeting in the Galena Territories.   Her background in nutrition and her love of helping people made her an inspiring leader. Doris retired from Weight Watchers in 1998. In later years, she served as a substitute teacher for Bellevue Public schools and also volunteered for five years as a “Greeter” at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. Doris loved this position as she told visitors about “Beautiful Busy Bellevue”.

Doris was an amazing, accomplished woman and will be missed greatly by her family and long-term members of the Bellevue community.

Doris Lee Michaelson is survived by her brother John (Rosemary) of Monument, CO. Her children Dr. Robert Michaelson (Debbie) of Champaign, IL, James (Vivian) of Tomball, TX, Charles (Becky) Michaelson of Dubuque, Ruth Michaelson of Dubuque and CDR Martha Michaelson, a dentist on active duty in the US Navy stationed at Great Lakes, IL and fifteen grandchildren: Jennifer of Dubuque, Ingrid (Kindred) Priest of Bettendorf, Nikki living in France, Manly (Christine) Whitehouse, TX, Peter (Mallory) of Red Oak, TX, Seth (Tesca) of Temple, TX , Josiah of Conroe, TX, Hannah, Naomi, Eunice, Esther, Talitha and Abigail all of Tomball, TX and 3 step-grandsons, Marc Porter of Ft Worth, TX, Josh (Adriana) of Overland Park, Kansas and Ryan of Champaign,IL, Dara (Travis) Leick of Dubuque, Jacey of Dubuque and great grandchildren: Ella and Amelia Priest, Jimmy and Clark Michaelson, Ezekial Michaelson and Ethan, Jaymes, Andrew, David and Jordan Michaelson-Leick.

Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue, IA with visitation from 11:00-1:00 and funeral service at 1:00 with lunch to follow at the church. At 2:45, Doris will be laid to rest at St John’s Lutheran Cemetery in St. Donatus, IA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. John’s Lutheran church of Bellevue and the Bellevue Ambulance service.

Local arrangements entrusted to Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue.

Online condolences may be left at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com