Michelle Milner Sellars, beloved sister, mother, and grandmother (Gram), passed away on April 5th at Ivinson Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Michelle was born March 3, 1950, in Monte Vista, Colorado. She was the second child of Harry and Margie Kistler. She and her adoring older brother, Michael, remained close for all her life. Michelle’s family moved to Gunnison and later Alamosa, where she grew up in the beautiful Colorado mountains. Even after many years of living in Wyoming, she continued to proudly tell everyone that she was “from Colorado.”
As a child, Michelle spent many hours playing outside with her friends and her many pet cats, dancing ballet (she was dancing en pointe at the age of eleven) and later, ice skating at the Broadmoor Arena near her home. She began attending the local Catholic Church while in grade school, was confirmed, and remained a member throughout her life. Michelle’s faith was important to her and even when she became unable to attend mass, she took comfort in keeping her connection to the church through her dear friend, Colleen, who often brought communion to her and read the bible and religious texts with her.
Michelle attended Alamosa High School through her sophomore year. Her family moved to Colorado Springs, where she attended Cheyenne Mountain High School and graduated in 1969. One of her favorite activities in high school was her role in the marching band as a flutist and then a percussionist. Michelle’s passion for music continued when she attended Adams State College where she majored in the music program. She was active in concert band, marching band, and choir. She often talked about her experience traveling with the Adam’s State choir on a month- long European tour. They were the very first group to be allowed into the U.S.S.R. as a cultural exchange during the cold war.
While at Adam’s State, she met and married Jerry Sellars. The couple moved to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico after leaving Adam’s State where their first daughter, Heather, was born. They later moved back to Alamosa and had a second daughter, Tara. Then in 1978 they moved to Rawlins where their youngest daughter, Jaqueline, was born. They later parted ways.
Michelle had many interests. Inspired by Bobby Kennedy and JFK, she was very passionate about equality and was active in the Democratic Women’s League of Carbon County. She continued to participate in politics, including working on a few campaigns and attending democratic rallies. Even when her health had greatly declined, she was adamant about going in person to cast her vote. Michelle continued to have a love of music and often played her favorite albums. It would not be unusual to enter her home and hear John Lennon, Neil Diamond and in later years, Queen, as well as any number of artists from every genre. Her record collection contained an incredible variety of music and was one of her most prized possessions and one of her last great adventures was attending a Queen concert at the Ball Arena with her daughter, nephew and his wife.
Michelle was a stay-at-home mom for many years but later worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She enjoyed caring for persons aged and disabled and instilled that love in all three daughters who went on to work in related fields. She also worked as Teacher’s Aide in Special Education at Rawlins High School and was a caregiver for a young man who was disabled, for whom she cared for deeply.
After living in Rawlins, Wyoming for 30 years, Michelle moved to Laramie, where she enjoyed visits from her family and made many friends. She will be terribly missed at family gatherings where her chocolate pie, scalloped cheese potatoes and fruit salad were only outshone by her sense of humor and her gift of being fully and unabashedly herself. Her love of animals, especially cats, also continued throughout her life. She was a proud member of the Save Me Trust, an animal rescue and advocacy group. Her cats, Butters, and Patches were her much loved companions.
Michelle is survived by her brother, Michael Kistler (Marsha); nephews Joshua and Adam Kistler (Whitney); daughters, Heather Wiseman (Nicholas), Jackie Sellars (Shawn Tessman) and Tara Sellars; grandchildren Sebastian King (Jenissa), Sydney King, Dante Sellars (Stormie), John Schelden, Alissa Sellars, Paige Andrews, Tawny Craig, Zara Gallardo, Lloyd Wiseman and Willie Wiseman; great-grandchildren, Skyler Brown, Gabe Brown, Oliver King and Alice King, Scarlett Sellars, and Willow Sellars. She loved each and every one of them immensely and unconditionally.
No services will be held at this time; however, a Celebration of Michelle’s Life will be held in Laramie this summer. Memorial contributions may be made to Save Me Trust or a charity of your choice.