Dwayne Clayton Michel,
72, died May 15, 2016 after years of battling Alzheimer’s disease.
He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Donna
Poland Michel, and by his parents, Clayton and Viola
Herrmann Michel. He is survived by sons Devon and Darin
Michel, granddaughters Shayla and Tyla Michel, and the
Michel and Poland families.
Dwayne grew up farming in Othello, and after high school
attended Central Washington University where he obtained a
B.S. in Finance. It was in college that Dwayne and his
lifelong best friend, Cliff Dopps, met another set of best
friends: Donna Poland and Sandy Noels (Dopps). The four
became inseparable, both couples marrying and returning to
Othello to farm. Donna had twins Devon and Darin just one
month after Sandy delivered her twin boys Steve and Stan.
The two families spent countless vacations together, skiing,
hiking, and playing at the Dopps cabin in Cle Elum.
Dwayne loved being a farmer and cattle rancher, and put his
whole heart into leaving the ranch as a legacy for the next
generations. Twenty-eight years ago he hired Demetrio Leal,
whose wife Tomey and children Albert, Nyrada, Demetrio Jr.,
became part of the Michel family. One of Dwayne’s favorite
holiday stories was of him and Donna dressing up as Santa
and Mrs. Claus and bringing presents to the Leal family at
Christmas.
Dwayne found the most joy in being outdoors, whether he was
hunting, working, fishing, skiing, or just driving around
the farm. He always loved the beauty of nature. He also had
a jovial sense of humor, even naming his black Lab “Pocher”
after a favorite hunter friend.
Dwayne will be missed by his friends and family. Devon and
Darin invite friends and family to a short graveside service
at Beth Hampton Memorial cemetery in Othello, and to dinner
and celebration of Dwayne’s life on May 20 at Saddle
Mountain Ranch in Othello.
ref: Columbia Basin Herald, May 19, 2016
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Donna Ray Michel,
64, of Othello, Washington died March 24, 2009 at Kadlec Medical Center in
Richland.
Donna was born August 24, 1944 in Albany, California to Ray
and Ruby Gray Poland. In 1947 the family moved to the
Kennewick where Donna graduated from Kennewick High School
in 1962. She then attended Columbia Basin College, and it
was there that she met Dwayne Michel. Together they attended
Central Washington State College (University).
In 1965, Donna graduated with a BA degree in K–12 education.
She and Dwayne married in April 1967 and bought land on
Bench Road in Othello. They moved a 15’ Camp trailer onto
the property, living there without indoor plumbing for more
than two years, some of that time with their twin sons. They
bought a ranch from Gordon Hays and lived in the house on
the property that, again, had no indoor facilities. In 1976
Dwayne and Donna built the home that they lived in until her
death.
Through the years she and Dwayne farmed wheat, hay and other
crops, and raised cattle. Every spring began with riding
gathering cattle on Saddle Mountain. Donna enjoyed the
roundups and cooking for many old family friends who came to
help with the cows. She ran the books for the farm from the
day they got married until two years ago when she retired to
spend more time with her grandchildren and to help care for
Dwayne.
Donna was passionate about her family, making sure they got
what they needed and that the twins never missed an
opportunity to ski. She made sure the boys got to the ski
camps that made them United States Freestyle Ski Team
members. Donna was proud of her family and what they
accomplished. Her passions were Dwayne, the Ranch, her
children and grandchildren. When she was younger she enjoyed
being on horseback and often assisted in bringing the ‘cows
home’, and taking family ski trips around the Northwest. Her
favorite times were spent with her family.
Donna was preceded in death by her father, Ray and a
brother, Doug. She is survived by her mother, Ruby Poland; her husband,
Dwayne; her sons, Devon and Darin, and Darin's children,
Shayla and Tyla, all of Othello; a brother Dennis Poland and
sister-in-law Valerie Poland and their children and
grandchildren, all of the Tri-Cities.
ref: Stevens Chapel
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