Michelle Dunckel, age 60, of Hayward, WI, passed away on August 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Dunckel; her mother, Linda Calhoon; her brother, Christiaan Calhoon; and her German Shepherd, Jager. She was preceded in death by her sister, Tiffany Lynn Ehlers; her brothers, David Sean and Christopher David Ehlers; her stepfather, Ron Calhoon; and her very special horse, Moon Over Maui. 

Michelle grew up in Red Wing and moved to Bloomington at the age of 15. She attended Minnesota State University at Mankato, where she met Joe and made many lifelong friends. They lived in Lake Elmo until 2017, when they moved to their lake home in Hayward, WI. Michelle skillfully integrated new friends from Hayward with her lifelong ones, creating a wider, cherished community. She had an innate talent for bringing people together.

A vibrant person and trusted confidant, Michelle was the go-to coordinator for adventures with her friends. She adored animals, especially horses, and was affectionately known as a "Doctor Doolittle." Animals gravitated toward her charm and warmth, even those who required patience and understanding. Michelle grew up in an “airline” family and enjoyed travel, often taking weekend “mother -daughter” trips to the Cayman Islands and even one to Hong Kong. She and Joe had many annual and semi annual vacations, including an anniversary dream vacation to Italy.  

Michelle's beauty, both inside and out, will be deeply missed. She is now in a better place with God, reunited with those she cared about who preceded her. Her memory will be cherished, and her spirit remembered fondly by all who knew her.