Michelle Marie McKercher

On December 4th , 2025 the world lost a dear friend, mother, daughter, sister, partner, grandmother and aunt. Michelle McKercher passed away peacefully at home surrounded by close family members. Michelle had been battling cancer off and on for several years and was recently on home hospice care.

Michelle was loved by many and made countless friends during her years playing softball and bartending in Douglas County and Superior. Her warm, caring personality endeared her to everyone she met and they usually became lifelong friends.

Michelle was also a respected businesswoman who worked for decades at the Development Association of Superior/Douglas County where she managed the Superior Business Center and worked with countless entrepreneurs and established business to grow economic opportunities in northwestern Wisconsin.

Michelle was born in southern Michigan but moved to Hawthorne with her family in 1978. She graduated from Northwestern High School in Maple in 1980. After graduating she attended WITC in Superior and went to work in the office of Attorney Joe Till. Eventually she joined the Development Association staff and represented Douglas County on the Wisconsin Business Incubator Association.

Michelle loved her grandchildren, her children, her brother, her nephews, her friends and the outdoors – as long as it wasn’t too cold! She enjoyed fishing, gardening, yardwork, exploring the backroads of northwestern Wisconsin, meeting new people and visiting new places.

She will be missed by her father and stepmother, Mac and Anne McKercher of Foxboro. Her son Andy McKercher and his partner Sierra Hartshorn of Solon Springs. Her daughter Lyndsay Johnsen and her partner Paul Dietz of Duluth. Her brother Michael and his partner Nicole Dahlgren Budisalovich of Hermantown. And her partner in life, love and exploration Don Gerhardt of Hawthorne.

Michelle will also be missed by her grandchildren Natalie, Carter, Aidan, Silas, Donovan, Axel and Malex; and by her nephews Noah and Grant.

Internment and a celebration of Michelle McKercher’s life will occur in the spring.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.