Michelle Rae Plendl (Case) 

October 1, 1950 - February 18, 2025

Michelle Rae Plendl, 74, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on February 18, 2025, after a lengthy battle with COPD. She was surrounded by her family and friends, who spent the last six days of her life showering her with love and attention in her home. The days were filled with games, food, music, hugs, tears, and long reminiscing sessions. Her favorite Ole Smoky salted caramel whiskey shots were enjoyed alongside a continuous stream of her favorite shows, Weeds and Breaking Bad.

Michelle was born on October 1, 1950, to George and Bonnie (Mills) Case in Estherville, Iowa. She had a unique, loving spirit and a can-do, caring attitude from the beginning. A graduate of Kingsley-Pearson High School in 1968. As an athlete, she was a track sprinter and often recalled her softball team’s victory as state champions. Additionally, she was a cheerleader, a homecoming queen, and generally the life of any party.

She married Myles Stanfield on July 25, 1969, and they welcomed a daughter, Shannon Leia, in January 1970. Tragically, Myles lost his life in a car accident on March 23, 1973.

In the fall of 1973, she married Wayne Thieman, and they welcomed a son, Kaden Wayne, in November 1975.

Michelle held several jobs throughout her life but was particularly proud of her work as a designer, salesperson, publisher, and ultimately owner in the newspaper industry, following in her father’s footsteps.

In 1998, Michelle reunited with high school friend William Plendl. They married on September 18, 2004, and recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Bill was a tremendous caregiver and ensured Michelle always had the best care possible.

Michelle was the kind of woman to whom people felt comfortable sharing their life stories within the first five minutes of meeting her. She called it her “talk to me sign,” rubbing her finger across her forehead. A kind, courageous, compassionate, and generous woman, her love for others was infectious. She was always an avid cheerleader for the underdog.

Michelle’s family and friends were the light of her life. Even at 5 feet 2 inches, she was a strong protector. She often said she would “fight bears with sticks” for those she cared about, and she meant it. She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren and loved sharing stories about them. Two of her favorite family traditions included singing the “ugly birthday song” to all her loved ones on their birthdays and giving them wrapped Lifesaver books at Christmas.

Michelle was the loudest parent and grandparent at every sporting event. If she couldn’t attend a game, people would ask about her because the kids missed her enthusiastic cheering.

Anyone who knew Michelle knew that the TV was always on and the door was always open. A hug, a listening ear, a cup of coffee, or an adult beverage awaited anyone who came to visit. Like her mother, Bonnie, she loved people with food, cherishing the moments when her grandchildren and their friends would walk to her house after school for homemade treats. Family favorites, like her sausage gravy and potato salad, were mouthwatering and have thankfully been passed down.

Those left to carry on her memory are her husband William, daughter and best friend Shannon (Monte) Jost, son Kaden (Jamie) Thieman, and her grandchildren Amanda (Richard) Peters, Dylan (Melany) Hawkins, Montanna Jost (Riley Isaacson), Eryn Jost (Caleb Jungers), Zackery Jost, Graysen, and Arysten Judah Thieman, Hunter Bruns, and her great-grandchildren Kain, Avin, and Kimberly Peters, and Brinley Isaacson. She is also remembered by her sister Diane (Mike) Evans, sisters-in-law Mary Case, Connie Robeson, Eilene (Bud) Foster, and Dorothy Kennedy, nephew Mike (Kristie) Evans, nieces, Elisha (Brady) Evans-Raber, Emily (Jay) Whiten, and Sarah (Gino) DiGioia, great-nephews Mason, Max, and Mylan Evans, Braden (Greyson Burnett), and Zaden Evans, Jackson Whiten, and Horace DiGioia, great-niece Daphne DiGioia, great-great-nephew Parker Evans, many cousins, and other extended family members, her beloved dog, Bella, and several close friends.

Michelle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Myles Stanfield, her brother Grant Case, her granddaughter Samantha Hawkins, her dear friend Patti Nemesio, and several other extended family members.

Another cherished family tradition: “We love you to the moon, Mom... PROMISE!”

A visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.