Michelle L. Akers, 57, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at her home in Palmer, Alaska, on November 18, 2025. A celebration of Michelle’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at United Protestant Presbyterian Church, Church of 1,000 Trees, 713 S Denali Street, Palmer, Alaska. A potluck will follow.
She was born on March 8, 1968, in Palmer, to Donald and Debbie (nee Sexton) Magee. Michelle spent her childhood and early adult years in Bonners Ferry, where she lived from 1971 until 1990. Michelle graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1986.
Those years were filled with growth, hard work and close family connections. She worked various jobs throughout her young life, with her most meaningful role being at the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, where she served as a dispatcher alongside her father, who worked as a deputy. Michelle was proud to serve her community and she carried that dedication with her throughout her life.
In 1990, Michelle returned to her birthplace of Palmer, Alaska, where she lived for the next 35 years. She joined Municipal Light & Power, dedicating 30 years of service as a customer service supervisor before taking early retirement to spend more time with her family – the part of her life she cherished most.
On March 27, 1992, Michelle married the love of her life, John Akers. Together they built a strong, loving home and raised three amazing children: Matthew, Kaitlyn, and Kelsey. Michelle also opened her heart to many others she considered her own, including Tami and Sean Grande and Josh and Amanda Robinson, all of whom she loved as deeply as family.
She adored her grandchildren: Izzy, Leah, Michael and Charlotte Warren. Her adopted grandchildren – Lilly Robinson, Natalie Bauman, Dakota Bishop, Kristopher and Toby Grande – brought her tremendous joy and filled her life with laughter and purpose.
Michelle loved life’s simple pleasures: reading for hours on end, riding on her power scooter, attending community events, being surrounded by family at gatherings. Michelle was known for her need of pepper on everything, could make the famous “Devil’s Eggs” and would love to help with the holiday baking by taste testing the goodies while packaging them.
Her warmth, strength and unwavering love will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.
Michelle is preceded in death by her father, Donald Magee, grandmother Maxine Hayden, grandparents Elmer and Lottie Sexton, father- and mother-in-law Harold and Elsa Akers, aunts Barbara Sexton, Donna Sexton and Debra Magee and Uncles Allen Sexton and Bill Mrak, and cousins Wayne Sexton, William Mrak, Hank Warner and Christopher Steele.
She is survived by her loving husband, John Akers, mother Debbie Magee, brother Robert (Karlene) Magee, children Matthew Akers, Julian Endes, Kaitlyn (Dustin) Warren, Kelsey Akers, Josh (Amanda) Robinson and Sean (Tami) Grande, sister-In-Law Judy (Dennis) Mayfield and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends who loved her dearly.
Michelle leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and devotion to family. She will be forever loved and forever remembered.