Honoring Michelle Waters

(MORRILL, Neb.) – CERT/SAR member, Michelle Waters has passed away. Michelle’s knowledge in Search and Rescue was very beneficial to the team.

Michelle had a servant’s heart. She served her country as a  U.S. Air Force Captain and her community as a Firefighter and EMT  and as a Level 3 CERT Team Leader and Instructor. Michelle was a critical member of our team.

Our community is a far better place thanks to Michelle.

Prayers for her family and Morrill Volunteer Fire Department.

Michelle was born December 26, 1963, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Anthony and Ida Kay (Jordan) Zoucha. She graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, Nebraska. She was a proud member of the school’s championship band. Michelle went on to graduate with a mathematics degree from Duke University in North Carolina.

Michelle married Gregg Waters in 1987. Together they welcomed three children.

Her first career was as an officer in the United States Air Force. She served during the Persian Gulf War. After separating from the military, she taught advanced mathematics to high school students for fourteen years.

She was a member of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department. Michelle was also a board member for the Morrill Public Library. Michelle loved the outdoors and was fond of hiking. She also enjoyed arts and crafts and was working to open her own studio. She was an avid reader who liked mysteries, particularly anything written by Dorothy L. Sayers and Donna Andrews.

Survivors include her husband, Gregg Waters; children, Matthew (Pam) Waters, Joshua Waters, and Sarah Waters; and first grandchild, James Waters, born just two weeks prior to Michelle’s passing. She also leaves her parents, Anthony and Kay Zoucha; and her three younger brothers, Sean, Tony, and Scott.