Vicki was born in Devils Lake, ND on September 8, 1951. She was the second of Gladys (Custer) and William Michel’s four daughters. Her dad died in 1962 creating a strong, life-long bond of love and friendship with her mom and sisters.
Vicki attended Devils Lake Public Schools and graduated high school with high honors in 1969. She attended Michigan State University and the University of North Dakota to receive her BS degrees in Music and Psychology. She went on to attend Creighton University School of Dentistry and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in May of 1979.
She opened a dental practice in Jamestown, ND, where she still worked part-time. Many of her patients thought of Dr. Michel as not only their dentist, but also their friend. She had special feelings for her patients also, many who were with her for over 40 years.
Vicki married Chaun Foughty on February 10, 1993 at the “We’ve Only Just Begun” wedding chapel in Las Vegas. She continued her dental practice in Jamestown, while Chaun operated a plumbing business in Devils Lake. Their weekends and vacations involved building and maintaining a beautiful home on Devils Lake, gardening, sailing, fishing, cooking, baking and lots of fun with family and friends. They enjoyed an annual trip to Jamaica for many years and more recently made trips to California to see their daughters and grandson.
Vicki was an intelligent woman with many talents and interests. Throughout the years, she sewed and did beautiful needlework and made her sisters jewelry from her left-over gold from dental school. She enjoyed challenging jig-saw puzzles and loved to read. Vicki worked hard and took great pride in her amazing flower pots and beds in their beautiful lake home yard. In the summer, that’s where you’d most often find her, outside with her flowers.
Vicki had a deep love and appreciation for music. She enjoyed concerts and through the years got to see many of the old bands. Her first one was with sister Jayne in 1965—the Beatles!
She hosted annual Easter egg dying and pumpkin carving for family and friends and always made birthdays special. She was “The Fireworks Queen” and put on an amazing fireworks display at the family 4th of July celebration.
Vicki and Chaun had many Sunday dinners and get-togethers at their home, with warm welcomes, wonderful food (including Vicki’s homemade pie) and occasional games of Trivial Pursuit. With Vicki’s amazing memory, “the women” very often beat “the men”. She was the one her family and friends relied on to help remember life’s details.
Vicki, who Chaun always called his “Sweetheart”, will definitely be remembered and will surely be missed.
Vicki leaves behind her Husband, Chaun Foughty; her Sisters Jayne Michel Bennett (Larry), Beth Michel-Evenson (Collin), and Dina Michel-Gilbertson; her Step-Daughters Magda Foughty-Miele (Damen) and Taska Foughty (Jason Przybysz); her Sisters-in-law and Brother-in-law Maureen White Eagle, Donovan Foughty (Marca) and Eileen Tabert (Mark); her Nieces and Nephews Dustin Bennett, Lydia Gilbertson (Fiance Jeff Garske), Lucy Gilbertson, and Ethan Evenson; her Step Nieces and Nephews Brian White Eagle (Sarah), Melissa Engelhart (Sean Bullinger), Matthew Foughty (Stephanie), Molly Hulett (Chris), Eric Tabert, Katey Grubisa(Philip) and Abbey Parsons (Cole); and last, but certainly not least, Grandson Gannon Miele.
Those who went before are her parents William (Bill) Michel and Gladys Michel Monroe; her Step-Father Monte Monroe, Mother-in-law and Father-in-law Frank and Helen Foughty, and Brothers-in-law Steve Gilbertson and Judd Foughty.
Vicki’s burial and memorial celebration will be held at a later date….when flowers are blooming.