Michelle ‘Misha’ Verlaine Fhuere Neilsen Ryan, age 50, of Craig, CO, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at the Denver Hospice Hospital in Denver, CO after a brief illness.

Michelle was born July 30, 1965, at Kennewick, WA. She is the daughter of Verlaine Hasenauer Weir and the late Ed Weir. Michelle grew up in Wallace and graduated from Wallace High School in 1984. In June 1985 she married Frank Neilsen and to this union a son, Joshua Ryan, was born.

Michelle continued her education, graduating from Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, CO in 1991 then received a BA in Art Education from Metropolitan State College in Denver in 1996. She taught K-12 art in the Denver area for 19 years.

Michelle enjoyed art and teaching art. She also loved spending time with Josh and Renee and her family and friends.

She is survived by her son, Josh (Renee) Neilsen (who is expecting her first grandchild), of Brighton, CO; her mother, Verlaine ‘Vee’ Weir, of Wallace; siblings, Corey (Rebecca) Fhuere, of Jefferson, OR, Cherie (Gavin) McClintock, of Elsie, NE, Vickie (Dave) Todd, of Illinois, Kevin (Terry) Weir and Brian (Cheryl) Weir, both of Omaha, NE, Stacy Dietrich, of Dallas, TX, Wendy (Troy) Grothman, of Venango, NE, Tonyia (Michael) Miller, of North Platte, NE, and Rita (Duane) Kirch, of Lewellen, NE; sister-in-law, Susie McMurray, of Spokane, WA; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and other family.

Michelle was preceded in death by her stepdad, Ed Weir; two brothers, Kurt Fhuere and William McMurray; and nephew, Will McMurray.

As to her wishes, Michelle donated her body to science. A Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016, at the Wallace United Methodist Church with Pastor Charles Nyamakope officiating. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.