Ora Mae McMichael, 102, of Farnam, NE peacefully passed away on July 14, 2018 at her home in Farnam.

She was born on May 30, 1916 on the family farm near Farnam to Claude D. Clement and Fern M. Clement. She lived in Montrose, CO for 5 years and then returned to Farnam to attend the North Country School, Middle Country School, and South Country School where she finished through the 8th grade. Ora graduated from Farnam High School in 1936.

She married Richard Artie McMichael on October 23, 1937 in North Platte, NE. They lived on a farm north of Farnam where they had 3 children; Meryl, Julia, and Janet. They farmed there until 1947 and then resided in the Farnam and Elwood, NE area until they made their permanent home in Farnam.

Ora was a 30-year member of the Rebekahs Lodge Club. Some of her first employment jobs included hauling water by horse & buggy to the school, helping with the care of newborn babies, interior painting & wallpapering, clerking at the hardware store, and being a ticket taker for the local movie theater.

Ora enjoyed family music, fishing, camping, gardening, flowers, birds, butterflies, hobbies & crafts, collecting angels, playing dice, cards and other games. She genuinely loved people and enjoyed visiting with them; always with a smile on her face. She was the oldest child and very close to her siblings and their families; she cherished the time spent with her sisters as “The Wild Bunch.”

She is survived by son Meryl McMichael; daughter Jan Steuerwald; grandchildren Ken & Tammy McMichael, Lynn McMichael, Kevin McMichael, Cindy Thomas, Debra Thomas, Troy Thomas, Charity Thomas, Nikki Brand (and partner Don Mooberry), Geoff & Kathy Steuerwald, and over 75 great grandchildren and great, great–grandchildren; sisters Dorothy Lange and Delores Miller; sisters–in–law Peg Feddersen (and husband Jerry), Julia Schneider, Ruth Fisher; brothers–in–law Mike McMichael (and wife Betty), Zane Craig.

Ora was preceded in death by husband Rich McMichael; daughter Julia Thomas and son–in–law LeRoy Thomas; daughter–in–law Sharon McMichael; parents Claude & Fern Clement; grandson Marty Thomas; great granddaughter Jessica VanAcker; siblings Emerald Clement, Liona Hamel, Eva McMichael, Clara Donner, Wayne Clement; and numerous sisters–in–law and brothers–in–law.

Visitation will be held at Blase–Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, NE on Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm; with the family present from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. A memory book will be available for family and friends to share Ora’s life experiences.

Services will be held at the Farnam United Methodist Church on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 am with Pastor Neil Kloppenborg officiating.

Interment will follow in the Farnam Cemetery; please join us for lunch back at the church.

Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, 16 July 2018