Michelle Koppelman

Michelle (Gilles) Koppelman, 74 of Billings, MT, passed away June 16, 2024, at her home in Sun City West, AZ.

Michelle was born on April 14, 1950, to Michael Gilles and Angeline (Zentgraf) Gilles in Breckenridge, MN. She married John Koppelman on December 28, 1970, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lidgerwood, ND. After high school, Michelle attended the University of North Dakota (UND) and became a Nationally Registered Cytotechnologist and worked in this field until she retired in 2012.

Michelle and John moved over the years because of John's job with Wells Fargo. She enjoyed an active social life and created lasting memories wherever they went. They started their life together in Minneapolis, MN where they spent time with family and Michelle's friends from the lab. In Butte, MT they learned how to party. They spent the next several years in Billings, MT making close friends through St. Bernard's Church and sharing the love of food with their Gourmet Club. Gillette, WY is where Michelle fell in love with golf. The next move took them to Great Falls, MT where Michelle became an avid golfer, enjoying many rounds at Meadowlark Country Club and trips with her golf friends and wine club. Once her husband John retired, they made their way back to Billings, MT, where she reconnected with old friends. She played bridge, bunco, and joined Kiwanis and PEO. She also had a love of playing cards, many rounds of 7up, Bid, and Poker were played with the grandkids at their kitchen table wherever they lived. In 2021 John and Michelle purchased a winter home in Sun City West, AZ, to escape the cold winters of Montana and spent time with family and friends doing the same.

Michelle was preceded in death by her parents Michael and Angeline and her older brother Richard. She is survived by her husband and love of her life, John, and three children Angela Kramer (Doug) and Kelly Eckley (Mike) of Billings, MT, and William Koppelman (RheaAnn) of Marietta, GA. She left behind 5 grandchildren (Cole, Amir, Adelyn, Alex, and Knox). She is also survived by two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Donald Gilles (Diane) Henderson, NV, Dave Gilles (Amanda) Fergus Falls, MN, and Annette Gilles (Richard) West Fargo, ND.

Services celebrating her life will be held at St. Pius Catholic Church, Billings, MT on July 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with a prayer service at Dahl Funeral Chapel on July 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Billings.

Her family would like to give sincerest thanks to Americare Hospice and Olimpia's Home Care for their help and care during her last days. In memory of Michelle, memorials may be made to Aids Spirit, PO Box 30734, Billings, MT 59107.