Michele Catlett, age 41, of Holdrege, Nebraska, departed to her heavenly home on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at UNMC.
Michele was born August 7, 1983, in Denver, Colorado, to James and Garneta (Slagel) Cunningham.
Michele graduated from Benson High School in Omaha and was always proud of her Benson Bunny background. She went on to attend Iowa Western College where she loved being a part of show choir and piano. After graduating, Michele was married to the love of her life Joel Catlett in 2006. Michele and Joel were partners in every aspect of the word through ministry, work and life with their greatest accomplishments being their beautiful daughters, Leilani and Delaney. Michele worked towards and achieved her degree at the Supernatural School of Ministry and later on was able to draw from her piano and singing training from high school and college so she could lead praise and worship with Joel at church. A very important part of her life was participating in the Mrs. Nebraska program and then moving into directing the Miss Phelps County and Miss Swedish Days local pageants for the Miss Nebraska program. She was an inspiring mentor and friend to so many young ladies in the program and being so involved with others came full circle when she got to watch her daughter Leilani participate in the Miss Nebraska Teen program for the last two years. One of her favorite roles was being a dance mom to both of her girls through MomenTum Dance Studio. Traveling and watching them do what they love brought her joy. Michele was always striving to learn more and grew tremendously as a person as she immersed herself into various passions like photography, writing and editing, holy yoga and baking. Though she followed her passions, her first and foremost love was always her family. She always made sure to be there for her daughters and was an active participant in family events and business. Her kind smile and laugh often brought levity to even the darkest of situations.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 2022 when she was diagnosed with liver disease. Thus began her three-year fight for life, as her doctors at the Mayo Clinic did everything they could to help her. Though she fought valiantly, in the end, God called her home to rest peacefully with Him and look out for her family from heaven.
Michele’s kindness and encouragement will be missed most by her husband Joel; daughters Leilani and Delaney of Holdrege; mother Garneta (Roger) Bear of Omaha; brother Lee Cunningham of Omaha; parents-in-law Walt and Jolene Catlett of North Platte; sisters-in-law Cara (Eric) Putman of Lafayette, IN, and Janna (Chris) Swan of North Platte; brother-in-law Joshua (Sarah) Catlett of North Platte; and many nieces and nephews in addition to so many friends she has touched throughout her precious time here.
She is preceded in death by her father James and her sister-in-law Christine Cunningham.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 25, 2025, at 2:30 pm at Harvest Christian Fellowship with Pastor Jeremy Rinke officiating. Book signing will be Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 9-5 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for future designation. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.