Michelle Lynn Walters

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Michelle Lynn Walters

Aug. 10, 1981 - Aug. 7, 2016

McCOOK, Neb. -- Michelle Lynn Walters, age 34, of McCook, died on Sunday Aug. 7, 2016, at Boulder, Colo., as a result of a biking accident while participating in the Boulder Ironman competition.

Michelle was born on Aug. 10, 1981, and was the daughter of John Walters of Culbertson and Aardel Walters of North Platte. She graduated from McCook High School in 2000. She participated in several sports in high school with cross-country being her favorite. She was a member of St. Albans Episcopal Church in McCook.

She attended Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Neb., after graduation from high school and recently was attending McCook Community College, working toward a degree in nursing.

In recent years, Michelle had a great interest in long distance running events. Michelle ran her first long distance race on May 1, 2015, doing the Lincoln half marathon. In 2016, she did the full Lincoln marathon and loved it. June 18, 2016, she ran the Dizzy Goat 12 hour trail race with an accomplishment of 51 miles placing 12th overall and 5th out of the females participating. This was her first trail race and she absolutely loved this as well. She competed in many other marathons and triathlons with a goal of coming in first in whatever she attempted. She accomplished her goal in other runs including the Culbertson 4th of July run, the Benkelman Dundy Beach triathlon, the O'Rourke triathlon in North Platte, and several runs in Boulder, Colo. Her goal was to run the Boston Marathon. She loved marathons and triathlons.

She also absolutely loved being a mother and was very proud of being a member of a GOLD STAR family.

Michelle was the most kind, giving, sincere, and loving person any friend or family member could dream of. She lived her life to help others and make a difference; that is the reason she was a blood donor and organ donor.

Michelle was preceded in death by her grandparents, John and LoRene Walters and Arden and Edith Myers; and her uncle, PFC Gerald Walters, who was killed in action in Vietnam.

Survivors include her loving four year old son, Dorian; her parents, John and Deborah Walters of Culbertson and Aardel Walters of North Platte; her sisters, LoRene (Seamus) Kelly of Omaha, Neb., Carolyn Walters of Guernsey, Wyo., and Angela (Danny) Stinman of Omaha, Neb.; her step-brothers, Alex (Kylee) Willoughby of Timnath, Colo., Mark (Sara) Willoughby of Parker, Colo., and Stephen Willoughby of Denver, Colo. Also surviving Michelle are parent-like friends, Danny and Sally Dixon of Westminster, Colo.; special friend, Chris Schaben of McCook and special sister-like friend, Jean Kelly of McCook. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, aunts, an uncle and many friends that were part of Michelle's life.

Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.herrmannfh.com

Funeral services will be Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Michelle's son's future education fund.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.