A resident of Prior Lake, MN, Michelle “Shelly” Kartschoke was only 46 years of age, when she passed away unexpectedly while hiking on Mount Crested Butte in Colorado. Most important in Shelly’s life was family. She was a beloved wife, devoted mother, loving daughter and sister. Shelly’s greatest passion and devotion was that of being a mother to Nicholas, Kaitlyn and Joshua.

The Kartschoke family will greet guests on Friday, July 22, from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and also one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, July 23, 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Pallbearers for Shelly will be Daniel Dehnert, Marcus Dehnert, Thomas Dehnert, Ronald Kartschoke, Andrew Kartschoke and Dale Lutz Jr. She will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Prior Lake, MN.

Harold and Margaret (Vogel) Dehnert proudly announced the birth of Michelle Ann on October 27, 1969 in Fort Atkinson, WI. The oldest of four children, Shelly had the lifelong task of trying to keep her little brothers in line. As a young girl, she participated in dance and ballet. As Shelly grew, she turned her focus to sports. She enjoyed playing basketball, as well as participating in track and cross country, where Shelly excelled. The Dehnert family enjoyed trips to Canada camping and fishing. They also relished road trips to visit relatives including the unforgettable trip to Texas.

Graduating from Jefferson High School in 1988, Shelly furthered her education at UW La Crosse, earning a degree in IT. She worked her entire career for Cargill, Inc. Shelly was always trying to improve herself and with the support of her company, she went back to school to earn her M.B.A. at The University of St. Thomas. Shelly started in the IT department and worked in various positions in her career, before settling down in Risk Management.

Through mutual friends, Shelly’s life was enriched meeting the love of her life, Christopher Alan Kartschoke. Their love flourished and on July 12, 1997 in Jefferson, WI, Shelly and Chris declared their love to each other. They had a deal, whoever found a job first…the other would follow. Well, Shelly was offered a position at Cargill, so they soon found themselves moving to Minnesota. First living in several suburbs of the Twin Cities, Shelly and Chris planted their roots in Prior Lake. Here, they raised three beautiful children, Nicholas, Kaitlyn and Joshua.

Shelly loved to travel and passed this passion on to her children. They saw Mother Nature’s beauty through countless hikes and bikes trips. They have seen the sights of Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and Disney World to name a few great memories. Shelly was such a devoted wife and mother. She loved attending all of her children’s school activities or sporting events. Nicholas, Kaitlyn and Joshua were her life and you could see that sparkle in her eyes. Shelly and her family also enjoyed spending time with family at her parent’s cabin near Rinelander, WI and even a few vacations with parents out west. In the last days, she was enjoying the sights and sounds of Colorado with her family and Chris’s dad.

The legacy of Shelly will live on in her beloved husband, Chris; children, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, Joshua; parents, Harold and Margaret Dehnert; brothers, Daniel Dehert, Thomas (Melanie) Dehnert, Marcus (Bethany) Dehnert; father-in-law, Richard Kartschoke; brothers-in-law, Ronald and Andrew Kartschoke; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Shelly was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Mary Kartschoke and her grandparents.