Obituary of Michele Fry-Pollock

Thursday February 19th 1959 to Thursday March 7th 2024

Ellen (Michele) Fry-Pollock (Mouse) was born to Everett Michael and Ellen Elizabeth Fry (Coady). Born and raised in Iowa she grew up in Orient and graduated from Orient-Macksburg class of 77. She would often tell stories of pin curls and dresses that were to be below the knees. Sundays were for church and manners were a must.

At the young age of 12 a tragic car accident took the lives of her mother and little brother Steve. Leaving her father, herself and two friends critically injured. They spent the next few months in the hospital, until they were healed enough for going home. Michele would tell stories of her and her friends being in close to full body casts flying kites and how it was fun until the wind would catch them and they would fall over stiffly and need someone to stand them upright again. Her ability to find the good in everything has always been one of her super powers.

For many years Michele lived in the Creston area and worked at many places including Dollar General, Farm and Home, BNSF and Kum & Go. In 2004 she moved to Cedar Rapids where she remained for the rest of her years. While in Cedar Rapids she worked at BP, Pearson’s and Menards.

Michele had four children Amanda Jones (John Bahr), William VanScoy (Katie Messina), Meghan Bochniak (Steven) and Misty McCrory (Brad Wiley). These kids were her world and she would do absolutely anything for them. Although she only had the four biological kids she was mom/grandma/memaw to many over the years. Family wasn’t determined by blood it’s always been about love and being there for each other. There 5weren’t half, step or by marriage rules we were all just family. And that family had no limits. Many friends have become family over the years.

14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild and boy was she proud. Although she didn’t always see them all as much as she would have liked she loved them all so very much. Birthday cards were her thing and somehow they always made it on time.

Grandchildren,Destinee Briner, Devan Briner (1999), Trinitee Brown, Jeffrea VanScoy, Ayden Butler, Liberty VanScoy-Cordell, Carsen VanScoy, Shyannah  Bochniak, Steven Bochniak, Ivan Lee, Octayvea Bochniak, Olivea Bochniak, Dominic Messina and Ashtynn Wiley; Great Grandchild: Drayton Bradley

Life wasn’t always rainbow and butterflies but Michele always made it work. Money was tight and times got hard, but never, not once did she give up. She did her best and she did it with grace. She often sacrificed in silence to ensure that those she loved and cared about were taken care of.

When life started getting good again……

Michele met the love of her life Mike Pollock. You could just see it in her smile. Their love was special. Harley rides and smiles. They loved to ride the bike to visit the kids and grandkids. Sadly Mike left this world October 28th 2015. A huge part of her had left with him. Her heart was shattered and life wasn’t the same from then on. But in true Michele fashion she carried on with her head up and shoulders back and a smile on her face.

Michele was so many amazing things. She was the best secret keeper; you could tell her anything without the fear of judgement. So full of knowledge and would always have an answer or advice. Her penmanship was beautiful! Her cooking was yummy and she loved to cook for her family. Her favorite color was purple. She loved silver and black hills gold jewelry and was known for her rings. Her fingernails were always long and so strong. She loved Harleys and the Denver Broncos (even when they lost).Later in life she began to love birds. She had multiple feeders and fed them every single day.

Fast forward late December 2023- Michele started feeling ill following her last covid vaccine. What felt like a cold that she just couldn’t get rid of. After many doctor visits, endless tests, countless meds and 3 trips to the ER resulting in being admitted, the doctors just couldn’t figure it out. February 28th 2024 after calling herself an ambulance and landing at Mercy Hospital for the final time, she chose to be transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital. By March 4th as the test results began to roll in the doctors determined she had what they believed to be lung cancer that had spread throughout her entire body including her brain and bones. On March 6th 2024 she made the decision surrounded by all four of her children to continue only with comfort care. She was at peace with her decision and changed her code status to DNR and has her ICD disabled.

Her last smile was when talking about all the loved ones who would be greeting her when she got to the pearly gates(even hound dog Jaxxie Boy and she promised to give him scratches). She knew Jesus and she knew where she was going. It was going to be beautiful and pain free.

She took her last breath on Earth March 7th 2024, gracefully, on her own terms and surrounded by love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband Mike, grandson Devan and countless family members and friends.

This is just a glimpse of her life and there are many more good times to remember. As we grieve our loss and remember her amazing soul we ask that you share stories from our mother’s life. We want to cherish her memory forever as well as share it with our kiddos and their kiddos. Michele’s wishes were to be cremated and a celebration of life will be set at a later time.