Michelle D. (Weninger) Knecht

Michelle Dawn Knecht, 58, of Beulah, ND, passed away, Friday, August 29, 2025 at her home.  Services will be held at 10:00 AM CDT, Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at New Life Worship Center, Beulah, with Pastor Justin Werven officiating.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, at Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah.

Michelle Dawn was born August 18, 1967 in Renton, WA to Steve and Joyce (Brehm) Weninger.

When she was a year old her parents moved back to ND where she lived with her grandparents and went to school in New Town.   After graduation she married Mike Evans. Mike had enlisted in the Navy after high school and together they lived in various Naval base locations across the US.  They had two sons, Corey and Cody that were born during this time.  After being discharged from the Navy, they made their home in Clinton, MT.  After their divorce Michelle and the boys moved back to ND to be close to family.

There she met and married Mitch Elton and had a son, Brandon.  They lived in Dickinson and then in Beulah.   

In 2013 she met and married Kim Knecht continuing to make their home in Beulah.  He was the love of her life and truly made her happy.  She loved their time at the lake camping and spending time on the water.  Summers just weren’t long enough.

They enjoyed gardening together, starting their plants from seeds before spring. She had a green thumb even though she didn’t think so.  In the last few years, she learned to can and has a very well-stocked pantry. 

Her story cannot be told without mentioning her love of horses.  They have always had a special place in her heart and her house reflected that interest with it’s western décor.

In 2019 they bought the health food store in Beulah naming it New Way Health.  She was passionate about her love for God and helping people.  This store encompassed those things and made her happy.

She carried Christian gift items and stocked the shelves with special requests that would serve others as well. The store soon was bursting at the seams.  She truly loved and appreciated each of her customers and as you know, she always wanted to visit.

Michelle will be remembered for her signature smile.  Even if she had a bad day, she didn’t believe in projecting it on anyone else.  She certainly had strong opinions and wasn’t shy about expressing them. She had an admirable ability to take criticism well and give it consideration.

Two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer that had metastasized and carried a grim prognosis.  Michelle is tough and she fought a good fight, but it wasn’t in God’s plan that she be healed and stay here with those she loved.  They recently enlisted hospice care and the family wishes to express their gratitude to Nicki and Janae for their care in her last days.

For the last several weeks her boys were able to be home to spend time with her.  She infinitely cherished time with them and Kim.

 She is survived by: husband, Kim; sons, Brandon, Corey & Cody; step-son, Cody Knecht; step-grandson, Skylar; mother & step-dad Joyce and Glenn Wright; father & step-mother Steve and Deb Weninger: sisters: Sarah (Chris) Ell, Tawnya (Jeremy) Bulger, Jodi (Miles) Gerbig; brother: Clint Hecker: Step-brother, Tim Wright:  Aunts; Gloria Hoff, Carol Moberg and Holly Weninger. Special High School Friends, Wanda Leppell and Pam Hooper. Brother-in-law, Kerry Knecht; Sister-in-law, Maryann (Darrell) Navratil.  Others that played a role in her life were:  Step-mother, Roxie Weninger and Step-father, Maynard Hecker.  Step-sister, Mandy Rust; and Step-daughter, Mandi Bernitt. Many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by:  Grandparents; Walter and Alice Brehm, Ernest and Izetta Weninger:  Uncle, Clark Weninger. Sisters-in-law, Lois Sipes and Norene Green.  Father and Mother-in-law, Helmuth and Phyllis Knecht.

In lieu of flowers or gifts the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice in Michelle’s name.

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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