Annette Michel

Annette Stratford Michel

September 20, 1949 - March 13, 2026

A Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, and Friend

Annette was born on September 20, 1949, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Melvin and Jessie Stratford. She was raised in Idaho Falls alongside her two beloved sisters, Katie and Sandy. She often spoke of the simplicity of her childhood, a time when children played outside and came in for dinner when the streetlights turned on. She grew into a beautiful woman, both inside and out.

After graduating from high school, she attended Brigham Young University, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. It was while driving a white Mustang in downtown Salt Lake City that Annette first met Uwe (Shaun) Michel, who introduced himself at an intersection and boldly asked her to follow him to his parents' home around the corner. That chance encounter led to a lifetime together. They married on November 2, 1973, in the Salt Lake Temple and shared 52 years of marriage. They created a loving home and raised their family in Sandy, Utah.

Those who knew Annette knew her Christlike love. She radiated kindness, patience, optimism, and forgiveness, welcoming all into her heart and home. She was always ready with a listening ear, offering the steady reassurance, “This will pass.” Annette had a special gift for making holidays and birthdays special through festive decorations, home-cooked meals, and thoughtful gifts that made each person feel seen and loved.

Guided by a great love of history and an adventurous spirit, Annette traveled the world, exploring historic sites across Europe, hiking to the summit of Mount Sinai, and snorkeling among the coral reefs of Mexico. Wherever she went, she carried a curiosity about the world and a lifelong desire to keep learning. She read countless books throughout her life. She was also a talented seamstress and could fix any piece of clothing.

Annette had a deep appreciation for beautiful things. She especially loved jewelry with yellow gold and natural gemstones. Each spring, she transformed her yard into a heaven on earth, planting hundreds of flowers that brought color and life to every corner. She also had a natural talent for interior design, creating a warm home in a timeless, traditional style. Annette delighted in bold colors and patterns in her clothing and carried herself with grace and class wherever she went.

Annette was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She faithfully served in many callings throughout her life and later served two missions with her husband, one ministering to women at the Salt Lake City Jail and another visiting elderly residents at a nearby assisted living center. Attuned to the whisperings of the Spirit, she was often prompted to acts of compassion, including sending vital medical equipment, such as life-saving incubators for newborns, to a clinic in Valladolid, Mexico.

Annette is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Jessie Keller Stratford; her sisters Katie Fortuna, and Baby Stratford who passed away at birth; and mother-in-law Erika Michel. She is survived by her husband, Uwe (Shaun) Michel, and her cherished family circle: Malia Eriksson; Trent Michel; Ben (Lisa) Michel; Jerika Megan (Dave) Mays; Laura (Noel) Montoya; Jaime & Mery Montoya; Julia (Rico) Schwarzenberg of Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany; Sandy Brown; Karl Michel; Ullrich (Carola) Michel; Eva (Stuart) Conde; and Danny (Dina) Michel. Her posterity includes 14 cherished grandchildren.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at the Willow Creek Stake Center, 2350 E. Creek Road, Sandy, UT 84093. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 12 noon at the Willow Creek Stake Center with visitation from 9:30-11:15 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 N. St. E.

Please join us in wearing cheerful colors to remember and celebrate Annette.

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Annette’s obituary page. Flowers may be delivered between 4-5 p.m. directly to the Church prior to the visitation on Monday, March 23rd. Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary.