Dolores "Micki" Michaelette Kaderabek

Micki was born on a farm in Clinton County, Iowa, on June 9, 1937, to Margaret Julia Nugent and Robert Ligouri McClimon. She attended one-room country schools until World War II, when her father left farming to work in the construction of military hospitals in Illinois and Iowa. Micki then attended Saint Anne’s School in Galesburg, Illinois, and Saint Anthony’s School in Davenport, Iowa. She graduated from LeClaire, Iowa, High School, where she made many lifelong friends and was a member of the National Honor Society. Micki went on to attend the University of Iowa.

After college, Micki moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she was employed by General Motors. It was there, through mutual friends, that she met Jim Kaderabek, a student at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Micki and Jim were married on September 6, 1958. Jim’s first job took them to Topeka, Kansas, where their daughters, Jill and Jody, were born. Jim’s career with the U.S. Forest Service took the family to the small, rural town of Big Creek, California, where their son, Todd, was born.

In 1968, the family was transferred to the Big Bend Ranger District on Donner Summit, where they experienced record-breaking snowfall. It was here that Micki started the first Brownie Girl Scout troop and arranged the bookmobile to make regular visits to the rugged area, ensuring that rural children had access to books. The family quickly adapted to the winters and discovered a love for skiing, a passion Micki continued throughout her life, skiing with her children and grandchildren until the age of 73.

In 1969, they were transferred to the Sierraville Ranger District, where Micki became a 4-H leader and helped establish the Toddler Towers Preschool. During their time in Northern California, she commuted to Reno and Chico, graduating from the University of Nevada, fulfilling her dream of becoming a math teacher. She went on to teach in Big Valley and Alturas, California, before moving to Weiser, Idaho. Despite being retired, her love for teaching math brought her back to the classroom at Weiser High School, where she helped implement a new math curriculum. After retiring a second time, Micki continued to substitute teach at the high school.

An avid runner, Micki participated in hundreds of races, including the Boston Marathon and the Robie Creek Half Marathon in her early 60s. She shared her passion for running by coaching track in Alturas and volunteering countless hours timing track meets in Weiser with Jim.

Micki and Jim enjoyed traveling, embarking on annual fishing trips to Canada and a memorable six-week camping adventure through Alaska. Their travels took them to all 50 states, an important milestone to Micki. One of their most meaningful trips was to Ireland, where Micki, alongside her sisters, proudly embraced her 100% Irish heritage.

Micki cherished the time spent with friends and family, often opening their home to both. She was an active participant in several bridge groups and regularly hosted bridge parties. Her bridge friendships remained a cherished part of her life, with bonds that continued to bring joy and companionship until the very end. A lifelong reader, Micki was a supporter of the Weiser Library, where she found community and forged friendships through the local book club.

Micki’s love for her family was evident in everything she did. She treasured the time spent with her grandkids and great-grandchildren, making them feel unique and special. Whether attending their activities, having them for sleepovers, celebrating their milestones, or traveling across the country to cheer them on in football or volleyball, Micki was there with open arms and a heart full of love. She delighted in playing with them, spoiling them with affection, and cherishing every moment they shared.

Micki’s faith was an integral part of her life, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. As a lifelong Catholic, she instilled the importance of the mass and the rosary to her children, including the make-shift campground church twice a month in rural California.  She attended parochial schools, taught CCD, and volunteered in numerous roles at church, serving as a reader and Eucharistic minister and laundered & ironed the church linens for years.

Her passion for learning and sharing with others remained strong throughout her life, and she always found ways to give back to her community. Her devotion to her faith and her family, along with her zest for life, left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

Micki was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Bob McClimon; brother, Dan McClimon; and son-in-law, Ted Hermanson; nephews Tim McClimon, Jay Morgan, and Kevin Morgan; brothers-in-law Ron Morgan, Rick Ricketts, Max Koeper, and Dave Wright.  

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Jim Kaderabek of Weiser, Idaho; daughters Jill (Jerome) Grandi of Weiser, Jody Hermanson of Durham, North Carolina, and son Todd (Katherine) Kaderabek of Asheville, North Carolina. Also surviving are her siblings Pat Ricketts, Dyan (Scott) McClimon-Miller, Marty McClimon, and Maureen (Mike) Shara; and sisters-in-law Pat McClimon, Ann Koeper, and Polly Wright.

Micki was a proud grandmother to Odo (Anna) Grandi, Sally Grandi, Libby (David) Johns, Thames (Ty) Higginbotham, and Miller (Emily) Kaderabek, and a cherished great-grandmother to Ava Grandi, Madison Johns, Hayes Grandi, Silas Johns, Della Grandi, Tripp Grandi, and Robert Higginbotham. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Edgewood Memory Care, Fruitland, for their compassionate care and unwavering support. They treated Micki and our family as their own, with kindness and dignity.  We also thank Ancora Hospice for their excellent care during Micki’s final days.  

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the St. Agnes Charity Fund in Micki’s memory.

A Rosary Service will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Weiser, Idaho, on Monday, July 14th at 7:00 p.m. with Funeral Mass on Tuesday, July 15th at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception.