Michele Marie Druse

In Loving Memory of Michele Marie Druse

February 14, 1947 – March 25, 2026

After a courageous 18-year battle with cancer, Michele Marie Druse has gone to be with the Lord, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion. Born on February 14, 1947, in Hood River, Oregon, Michele embodied the warmth and kindness that her special birthday signifies.

A gifted student, Michele graduated with high honors from James Madison High School in Portland, Oregon in 1965. At just 16 years old, she met the love of her life, David Druse, in her grandmother’s hometown of Woonsocket, South Dakota. Their love endured across summers spent together, and after graduating, Michele moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to be closer to David. When David was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, Michele remained in South Dakota, working various jobs, including her role at KELO Radio Station in Sioux Falls as an assistant program manager, where she also lent her talent to commercials and voiceovers.

When David returned, their love story continued with their marriage on September 7, 1968. Together, they built a beautiful life, welcoming their son Todd in December 1969, then moving to Gresham, Oregon, to be closer to Michele's mother and sister. Their daughter, Jennifer, arrived in March 1973, and in 1977, they settled in Vancouver, Washington.

A new chapter began in 1979 when the family moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia. Michele was a devoted stay-at-home mother, wholeheartedly committed to raising her children. Over the years, she also held part-time secretarial and data entry positions.

Michele was an exceptional athlete. She loved playing softball with her church but found her true passion in golf, which she shared with David. As proud members of Northwood Country Club in Lawrenceville, Michele became one of Georgia’s top amateur golfers in the 1980s and early 1990s, competing in tournaments across the Southeast. She was also a member of several ladies' golf organizations in metro Atlanta.

Beyond sports, Michele was a gifted floral designer, running a small business that catered to design studios for several years. In 1999, she and David built a beautiful home in Flowery Branch, Georgia, where they spent many happy years together. She later worked at Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton, Georgia, in 2019, serving as a part-time marshal and pro shop associate.

Michele was a devoted mother and grandmother, playing an integral role, especially in her grandson Noah’s life. She wholeheartedly supported her family, sharing many cherished memories, including summers spent vacationing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She found immense joy in hosting family and friends in her Flowery Branch home, where her love of cooking and decorating—reminiscent of Martha Stewart and Ina Garten—shined.

Michele is preceded in death by her beloved husband, David, and her parents, William and Pat Baum. She is survived by her loving children, Todd (56) and Jennifer (53); daughter-in-law, Brandi (52); grandchildren, Makenzie (22) and Noah (17); her sister, Pat Kerry (81); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Memorial Park South Chapel with Pastor Bryan Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. prior to the service at Memorial Park South Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to be made in Michele’s loving memory to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Donate Here

Michele’s radiant and courageous spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those she loved. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and her memory will be cherished for generations to come.

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