On Aug. 1, 2022, Lisa Louise Mickael, 58, of Adel passed away in her home, the same home in which she grew up and would eventually raise her own children.
Lisa was born June 6, 1964, and given over to the loving care of her father and mother, John and Louise Mague.
Much like her father, Lisa was full of life and had a playful sense of humor, always ready to interrupt her siblings’ Saturday morning cartoons with her antics. But although she loved to tease—her family, her friends and someday her employees—she was also deeply compassionate, believing that the world and the people in it were beautiful and worth getting to know.
So it’s probably no surprise to anyone who knew Lisa that growing up, she loved making art, listening to music and talking to people.
She graduated from high school in 1982 and soon after had a Christmas wedding with Duane Mickael. Lisa and Duane had two children, Melissa and Justin, before divorcing but remaining lifelong friends.
Undeterred from her kids’ obsession with ninja turtles, Lisa went on to have another daughter, Elisabeth “Beth,” with her partner, Patrick “Pat” Lantz.
She was always proud of her kids, wanting them to have whatever life made them happiest. She remained close to them for the rest of her life, always a phone call or a knock away, often with a pair of jeans she “just saw” they needed or a gag gift to make them laugh.
In 1995 Lisa and Pat opened Patrick’s Restaurant in the Adel square. The walls were warped, and you couldn’t turn 360 degrees around in the kitchen, but she kept the café thriving and expanded its operations until it was an Adel institution of 27 years.
She knew how you liked your eggs. She knew when you were going through tough times. Patrick’s didn’t have delivery, but sometimes when your health kept you at home, a hot beef sandwich would still find its way to your doorstep.
All of Lisa’s kids worked that kitchen with her at one time or another, learning when to pop toast and how to twirl a pizza. And with Beth’s help, she kept the doors open as often as possible, well after her health had declined.
These last few years, Lisa spent as much time as possible with her precious grandchildren, Charlotte, Elsie, Violet and Beckett. She loved them wholly and was ready to tell any willing ear, at length, about their accomplishments in art, music and talking (none of her apples fell far from the tree).
Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Louise Mague; her children, Melissa Mickael, Justin )Kady) Mickael and Elisabeth (Justin) Mickael; her step-son, Justin (Kari) Lantz; her brother, Steve (Angie) Mague; her sister, Susan (Chris) Dunsmoor; her grandkids, Charlotte, Elsie, Violet and Beckett; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her much-beloved father, John Mague; and her partner of 32 years, Patrick Lantz.
Although Lisa’s gone on ahead of us, we find solace in knowing she’s found her well-earned peace and sorely missed loved ones at last. Please help us celebrate her life in the spirit that she lived it, by spreading joy, caring about others and believing in the best of people.
A visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-McCalley Chapel in Adel, from 5-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home Tuesday, Aug. 9. The burial will take place after the service at Oakdale Cemetery in Adel.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Lisa’s family. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com
