Mary Jane 'Emmy' Michaelsen, 58

Farmer’s Daughter

Born in Pullman, Wash., in 1957, Mary Jane Michaelsen Bertschi passed away Jan. 20, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Dave; mother Jane and siblings Susan, Peggy, Ann and Bill. She was preceded in death by her father, Virgil Michaelsen, in 1999.

Emmy was proud to have grown up on a farm outside Pullman. She graduated from Washington State University with a degree in music composition, went on to work for the California Conservation Corps and subsequently found her way to Alaska as a “bush pilot.” Emmy loved flying and eventually became a commercial pilot. In 26 years working for United Airlines, Emmy was type rated in all but one of their aircraft and spent much of her career flying 777s internationally.

When she wasn’t flying, Emmy loved taking road trips with Dave, tinkering in her wood shop, playing the piano, walking her dogs in the woods and pouring herself into helping others. Her heart for others and incredible work ethic permeated her life.