Michelle Gearhart

Michelle Sue Gearhart, 33, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2001, at her home.The daughter of Jack Ruxton and Helen Marie (Boten) Gearhart, Michelle was born February 3, 1968 in Atlantic, Iowa. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1986 where she was in speech and debate and a member of the Atlantic Swim Club. She was also a member of 4-H. She held a Bacherlors Degree in Political Science at the University of Anchorage in Alaska. Michelle lived in Kansas City before moving to Anchorage, Alaska in 1992. She was the Media Coordinator for the State of Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control. She was a member of the Alaska Democratic Party Executive Committee, Project Assistant, Alaska State Community Service Commission, Mary McKinnon Fund Chair, an activist in numerous local children's and women's charities, awarded legislative internship in 1997. Her hobbies included yoga, canoeing, fishing,pottery, horses, sea turtles, gardening and cooking. Michelle's easy laugh, vivacious spirit and generosity endeared her to family and friends. Michelle was passionate in her personal and professional pursuits. She enjoyed camping and cherished leisurely Sunday walks with her husband and dogs.Surviving are her husband Caleb of six years; her parents, Jack and Helen Gearhart of Atlantic; two sisters, Jan Myers and husband Brent of Atlantic and Cindy Steckel and husband Fred of Salem, Oregon; one brother Richard Gearhart and wife Tammy of Cincinnati, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Malloroy, Megan and Nick Myers, Brandon and Carrie Steckel, Keith, Tad, Paige and Nina Gearhart; a grandmother Lois Gearhart; father and mother-in-law, Dennis and Patsy Wells and sister-in-law Ana Wells.She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Glen Gearhart, Henry and Arlene Boten and a niece, Danielle Gearhart.Funeral InformationServices for Michelle will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2001, at 11:00 A.M. at the Evangelical Free Church in Atlantic, Iowa with Pastor Terry Schoenfeld officiating.