Michel Jo Colville

Michel Jo Colville, 68, of Missoula, died Sunday, March 2, 2014, after being caught in an avalanche on Feb. 28 that destroyed her home of 23 years. Michel was born in Bloomington, Ill., in 1945 and grew up in Indianapolis, where her parents owned the state's first Harley-Davidson dealership. In 1969, she became the first female graduate of the University of Montana's degree program in wildlife biology.

Michel married Ken Dockham in 1971 and lived in Milestone, Saskatchewan, where she had two children. After a divorce, Michel moved back to Missoula and later married Fred Allendorf.

She was a creative and colorful artist who worked in various mediums, from singing to painting to textiles. She most recently focused her talents on making wearable art pieces and glass mosaics. Many of her pieces were created as silent auction donations for local charities focused on promoting peace and human rights and can be seen around Missoula. She was happiest when singing and on the water, and loved to spend time kayaking, snorkeling, traveling and spending time with her three grandchildren.

Michel is survived by her husband of 30 years, Fred Allendorf (UM Regents Professor of Biological Sciences emeritus), who was seriously injured in the avalanche and released from the hospital March 14. She is also survived by her son, Kell Dockham of Portland, Ore.; her daughter, Charis Patterson and family (Mark, Isabella and Olivia) of Edwards, Colo.; two stepdaughters, Teri Allendorf and family (Dan and Anil Jergens) of Mazomanie, Wis., and Keera Allendorf of Bloomington, Ind.; and her two sisters, Nita Butler and Nancy Raiford, both of Indianapolis.

A celebration of Michel's life will be held in the late spring or summer. Details about the celebration will be made public as they become available.

A few years ago, Michel wrote the following six-word autobiography: "Mother, grandmother, friend, traveler, artist, happy.
Read Michel Colville's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.