Obituary of Michele Rae (Bruch)
Micki (Michele) Rae (Bruch)
Born Michele Rae Bruch, Micki eventually changed her legal name to Michele Rae (no middle name). Coincidentally, she lived for decades on Rae Drive in Richfield, which would sometimes confuse the mail carriers. She was victorious in the battle against Alzheimer’s on December 24th at the age of 79.
Micki is preceded in death by parents; Wallace and Sylvia Bruch, brothers Steven Bruch and Greg Bruch. Survived by: Brother Jeff Bruch; Children, Ann (Jack) Sattler, Scott (Chris) Percival; Grandchildren, Jordan, Hannah, Tianna, Kian, and Broden. And special friend, Robert Karstedt.
Micki’s spirit was able to break free and escape her physical body in which her true spirit was being held captive. She was a long-time resident of Richfield and a more recent resident of Walker Methodist Care Suites in Edina. Michele was born in the winter of 1945 in San Francisco, CA to Wallace Bruch and Sylvia Bruch (Munkler). Micki attended St. Cloud State University for 1 year and then became a stewardess for Northwest Airlines in 1966. Micki had many interests during the span of her long life ranging from horseback riding, spending time with friends, soaking up the sun, and finding a reason to plan a party.
During her time as a parent, Micki creatively sewed dresses and Halloween costumes for her children, and also worked tirelessly to make every holiday and birthday party feel like a special one. She greatly enjoyed ringing in the New Year watching the ball drop in Times Square on television and finally got to the streets of New York where she saw it live in person once her children grew up.
Soon after the ringing in the New Year, you could find Micki buying Valentine’s cards for her friends and loved ones in February. In the weeks following her March birthday, you could find her painting her face green or marching in the St. Paul St. Patrick’s Day parade with friends and family. Sometimes even preparing a meal of everything green! After St. Patrick’s Day, she would anxiously await dying Easter eggs with her grandchildren and hiding Easter baskets.
During May, you could find her ringing the doorbell after hanging May baskets and quickly running away to hide. In June, you could find her diligently researching where the best 4th of July fireworks and parade would be in July. After the “holiday drought” you would find her scheming as early as September to adorn an elaborate and unique Halloween costume only after finding the best carving utensils to create the best-looking pumpkin on the block.
In November you would find her anywhere but the kitchen. She would opt for eating Thanksgiving dinner out as there was no time to cook with her favorite holiday just around the corner. Come December you could find her Christmas gift shopping and watching the annual Holidazzle parade in Downtown Minneapolis. She eventually found out how to join the parade in costume and marched in it a few times. During this time, you would also find her dragging out her many Christmas decorations, having sleepovers, and multiple Christmas celebrations with her grandchildren.
One year she was an extra in the holiday movie JINGLE ALL THE WAY, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, filmed in the Twin Cities. She gladly traded 3 days of her vacation time for 3 seconds of on-screen time as an extra, sharing the screen with Arnold himself! She is easy to pick out with her white jacket and white boots exiting a store while Arnold dashed across her path.
We miss her so much but there is so much of her that will live on in so many for so long. We want to thank all of the amazing staff at Walker Methodist Care Suites in Edina for their tireless work, care, and unconditional love. Special thanks to Marie and Foday as they had such a special way with her through her progression over the 3 years she spent there. Special thank you to Moments Hospice for keeping her comfortable for many, many months.
In lieu of flowers and/or for memorial consideration, please donate to the Meals on Wheels Eden Prairie/Bloomington chapter. They were integral in Micki’s continuing independent living (especially during Covid) for as long as possible before residing at Walker.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota - Edina Chapel on 7110 France Ave. S. | Edina, MN 55435 with visitation from 3PM-4PM and service from 4-5PM.
