Jonathan Michael Michelsen was 39 years old when he passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2021. He was surrounded by his loved ones after courageously fighting ALS for 4.5 years.

He was born March 24, 1982, to Michael and Sue Michelsen in Columbus, Ohio, the youngest of three children and only brother to two older sisters, Jennifer and Kristina. Their family moved to Hudson, Ohio, when Jonathan was five years old, where he was raised until moving out to go to college. Growing up, he held a life-long love for the family pet birds, taught himself guitar and chess, extremely competitive in board games, played little league, enjoyed running and completing half-marathons, and was extremely tech-savvy.

He attended Kent State University originally for film animation, then decided to go into pharmacy school, much to the delight of both his parents, who were also pharmacists. After taking a two year hiatus to teach English in China, he came back home to finish attending Ohio Northern University to complete his education, and after graduating, decided to move across the U.S. to work in Washington state.

He got a job working for Walgreens and first landed in Seattle, but after one day of fighting Seattle traffic, decided he didn't want to live there for long. The district manager for Walgreens told him about a need for a staff pharmacist in the Anacortes store. Jonathan loved to serve as a community pharmacist for Anacortes Walgreens, and was also where his future wife happened to work as a pharmacy tech, although he didn't know it yet.

Here is a recount of their story in his own words:

I moved to Washington in 2014 to work as a pharmacist for Walgreens. I was told that if I wanted my own store to look north of Marysville. Anacortes is a small town, just like home, with a view of Mount Baker that is amazing. I met Janetta on my first day of work. Our work schedules overlapped, so we saw a lot of each other. We both have a similar sense of humor. Hardly a day went by that we didn't laugh together. At the end of a long day, she would try to find a way to make me laugh. Even if it was a hand puppet bird getting up in my face and snapping at me, she could always get me to crack a smile. The snapping bird still works today, she has a gift. I fell in love with Janetta. I had no doubt that we would make a great team. Over time, I learned that Janetta loves surprises, but she makes it difficult to surprise her. "Did you get me something? a-HA! I knew it!" "Hm, a package, for me?" I had a hard time concealing the truth, she was just too curious. When I bought her ring, I was worried. I specified a delivery hour. I hid the engagement ring and wedding band in separate places. One I stashed in a banker's box at the bottom of an annoying stack in the spare bedroom closet. The other ring box I hid in a suit that I never wear. I bought a City Pass, which allows one week to visit five different Seattle attractions. We only had enough time to visit three. I booked a hotel downtown on a weekend we both had off. Between the two of us, Janetta is a better planner. So when I planned to spend a weekend in Seattle, I was afraid it would be too obvious. I tried to play it cool and pretend it was just another weekend, but between the two of us, Janetta is better at playing cool. On Saturday, February 20th, 2016, right before we left, I stashed her ring in my inside coat pocket, I tested thoroughly for holes. On the drive down, all I could think about was her reaction, and how sure I was that we were going to be happy. We first went to the Chihuly glass museum then walked next door to the Space Needle. This was my first time visiting, so I had no idea that the line outside was just the beginning. We had to walk up a never-ending spiral staircase. Janetta was so relaxed that I was envious. She tried to engage in conversation but all I could do was look at her smiling babyface, cheeks still rosy from the cold. At the top, there were so many people, I didn't think we'd ever make it to the railing. While we worked our way around, I got her ring ready. We found a spot and I waited for her hand. When she grabbed my hand, I pulled off her diamond ring and said, "It's time for a new ring, will you marry me?" I barely had enough time to swap before she said yes and bear-hugged me. The moment was even better than I had imagined. It was a rush that I will never forget. The next morning, we visited the Seattle aquarium. There was an elementary school field trip, so we didn't get to pet many animals. My mind wasn't on animals anyway. We searched for vegan restaurants on Tripadvisor and there was an Italian restaurant on the way home, Razzi's. Every time we went to Seattle for an appointment, we always admired the Space Needle on the way down and ate at Razzi's on the way back. Even when it became difficult to go to Seattle, I still relive that moment. After we got home as an engaged couple, I did not see Janetta until October. She got busy right away planning the wedding, and she did an amazing job. It turned out that Janetta had already scheduled our engagement photoshoot with Suzanne Rothmeyer before I proposed. She wasn't surprised at all.

Jonathan and Janetta were married at Roche Harbor on October 27, 2016, exactly two years to the day that they shared their first kiss. It was a perfect day; they were both on a mountain top, looking forward to all that their new life had to offer them.

Unfortunately, Life had other plans.

Just 6 months after their dream wedding, Jonathan began to notice the symptoms that did not go away. In July of 2017, after just three years of practicing pharmacy, he had to stop working, unable to fully operate his right hand any longer. In September of 2017, just one month shy of their first anniversary, their worst fear was confirmed at Swedish Neurological in Seattle: it was indeed ALS.

Jonathan and Janetta's dreams were dashed. Their lives were forever changed in those three letters, and it wasn't long before the disease ravaged his body, confining him to a wheelchair and robbing him of the ability to eat, speak, breathe, move and walk.

Their son, Tyson Riley Jonathan, was born September 17th, 2018, and was truly a powerful force in keeping their spirits up. Jonathan loved to be Tyson's dad, but was devastated to be on the sidelines, as it were; being unable to run and play with and hug his son. Even so, Jonathan was still fiercely dedicated to communicating with Tyson, entertaining him, and being a father to him.

Jonathan's family, and all who knew Jonathan are forever robbed by the huge loss of such a kind and sweet man. He truly was one of the best people you could hope to meet. There could never be enough to say about him and who he was, and he could never be replaced.

Jonathan is survived by his wife Janetta and son Tyson, and soon to be second son, Wesley Ryan Taylor; his parents and sisters in Ohio: Mike & Sue Michelsen; Jennifer Petersen and Kristina (Brett Czirok) and their children Evian and Bryton.

He was buried at Fernhill Cemetery on August 14th, and his life will be celebrated on October 17th, 2021, at the Majestic Inn in Anacortes, Washington. All are welcome to come celebrate his life and legacy with his family.  Please RSVP to  Janetta Michelsen < n3derland3r@hotmail.com > if you are able to attend.

If you would like to make a gesture on Jonathan's behalf, please donate what you can to the Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association . For our ALS journey, it was this Chapter and the invaluable caregivers, especially Rose and Bev, that enabled Jonathan to live as independently as he did, communicate with his loved ones, and live life to the fullest.

Arrangements are made through the Evans Funeral Home in Anacortes, Washington. To share memories of Jonathan please sign the guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/jonathan-michelsen