Though she had her 37th birthday on the eighth of this month, my beautiful daughter-in-law looked like a child when she died last week in her husband's arms.

Michele was taken from us by a brain tumor, which she had courageously battled for 17 years.

She was the youngest of seven children born to Rose and Grant Neilsen, and was raised on the family farm in the valley's west side.

Michele played the piano and graduated from high school with honors. She and my son Clark met while working in a local restaurant just after she had left high school and he was home from the Marines.

Independent young couple they were, it was their choice to go to Seattle and begin their life together with great expectations, no money, no jobs; however they soon found work, Clark at SeaTac Airport and Michele at LaMonts Department Store.

Their dreams were jolted in less than a year when Michele was diagnosed with a brain tumor behind her left eye.

It was found to be non-malignant; however it was stubborn and could not be completely removed.

Since that time our daughter-in-law has been undergoing some kind of treatment from chemo to radiation with one more desperate major operation in 1993.

In 2003 her neurologist told Michele they could not chance further operations and "the tumor was winning."

How long did she have?

The doctor wasn't sure, but we all had to accept the fact…we were going to lose our precious Michele.

"Our kids" sadly gave up their modest house at Bonnie Lake; Clark his job so they could come back home to Flathead where Michele and Clark's families could help take care of them.

This is only one way to deal with tragic personal loss; Michele's families will carry on.

We will cherish the memories of all the good times we shared…and warmth can even be found in recalling wonderful dreams…that didn't quite come true.