Michelle Rebelsky, MD, 59, of Grinnell, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, October 11, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. A private family burial will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, with a Funeral Prayer Vigil at 3:30 p.m. The family will be sitting Shiva at home from Sunday, October 13 to Wednesday, October 16 with group remembrances from 4-7pm on October 13 and 15, as well as virtual gatherings from 5-8pm CDT on October 12 and 14. They also welcome visitors any time between 10am and 7pm during the time of Shiva.

In lieu of flowers, Michelle requested gifts to causes that support women's health or the less fortunate. Gifts to MICA, the Grinnell High School Care Closet, or the Iowa Kitchen would be particularly appropriate for the latter. Memorial cards may be mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared online with Michelle's family at www.smithfh.com.

Michelle Marie Steele Rebelsky, MD, MBA, FAAFP was born on December 3, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Lloyd and Kathleen (Koenig) Steele. After five years on the west side of Chicago, she grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. After high school at Trinity High School, Michelle attended college at the University of Chicago, medical school at the University of Illinois Chicago, residency at the Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice Residency, and business school at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She was also a designated Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice and a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society.

Michelle was united in marriage to Samuel Alexander Rebelsky on August 29, 1987. They were blessed with three sons, William, Jonathan, and Daniel. Michelle and Sam moved to Grinnell in 1997 and soon settled into their new household on Main Street.

For most of her professional life, Michelle was a family physician in Grinnell, where she was the first female family physician. She also served many related positions in Grinnell and statewide. She was proudest of her work bringing new life into the world; delivering babies brought her joy. She was also proud of changes in medicine she wrought throughout her time at Grinnell. As a family physician, she provided care that addressed not only the physical but also the psychosocial issues of her patients.

Before starting medical school, Michelle worked on the human genome project in the laboratory of Janet Rowley. During residency, she conducted and published research on preventative care; she continued to incorporate work on preventative care throughout her career. A poem she wrote about practicing medicine was published in textbooks and journals around the world.

Beyond her professional life, which was integral to who she was, Michelle enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, whether sitting on a beach, playing a card or board game, discussing books, preparing and eating a meal, or listening to music (particularly music performed by her children).

Michelle had a strong faith and embraced life in the Church. Beyond feeling the love of God, she valued careful discussion about scripture and the catechism. She served as a teacher in St. Mary's Religious Education Program and accompanied students to the National Catholic Youth Conference.

Michelle is survived by her husband, Samuel, of Grinnell; sons, William, Jonathan, and Daniel, all of Grinnell; and her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Sandra (Czekaj) Steele, of Hobart, Indiana. Michelle was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Kathleen.