The middle child of a pastor, her childhood was spent across the country as Leroy moved from church to church, finding home in Sterling Heights, MI, Sylvania, OH, and Long Island, NY.

After graduating from Michigan State University, she moved to West Michigan. She found success in pharmaceutical sales, where she met her loving husband, Greg. The pair of single parents brought together their children Brady-Bunch-style, merging two sets of three kids to create a new family of three girls and three boys. There was no shortage of love, and chaos, as the family grew up in their Holland home and their small one-bedroom cottage in Glen Arbor. Michelle loved family time, traveling, painting, and pottery in her studio. She often hosted pizza parties in the backyard of her dream Glen Lake home, quick to share wine with all. Recently, Michelle fulfilled her dream of having a horse, riding Magnum with her “barn babes” weekly.

Michelle was the core of her family and friend groups. She was a beloved Sister, Mother, and “Nama” to her family and will be terribly missed.

Michelle is survived by her husband of 25 years Greg Christensen; her children Rachel (Erik) Humm, Lauren (Trey) Haberman Springer, Heidi (Christian) Benvin, Charles “Sam” (Sally) Christensen, Tyler (Aurora) Haberman, and Nathan (Sarah) Loberman; her siblings Michael (Sandra) Beck and Melissa Beck; goddaughter Emma Beck; and her beloved grandchildren Genevieve, Winston, Olivia, Arlo, Kit, and one more on the way.

The family thanks everyone for their love and support during this time.

Visitation will be held at 2PM on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Visitation will be followed by a brief service at 3PM, and a celebration at Greg and Michelle’s home immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Youth Division of the National Barrel Horse Association (District MI02) of which Michelle was a huge supporter. Learn more at https://www.michelleobit. com - thank you.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Michelle’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.