Michelle Arehart

Michelle Lynn (DeVorss) Arehart, 49 of Mason City, NE passed away August 20, 2024, at Good Samaritan hospital from injuries sustained in an auto accident. Michelle was born September 7,1974 to Jake and Shirley (Leonard) DeVorss in Dumas,TX. She spent her early years growing up at Cimarron Feeders with two of her siblings Mike DeVorss and Debora Hunter (She would meet her second sister, Sandra Lopez, years later). She attended Briggs Assembly of God and attended Plainview School until the 8th grade. The family then moved to Keyes, Oklahoma where she attended Keyes High School and the First Baptist Church of Keyes.

She married Robert Moore in 1992 in Dodge City, KS and from this marriage she had two children, Dawna Noriene Moore born 6/15/92 and Kyle Duane Moore born 5/25/93. The family returned to Keyes in 1994, where she attended Panhandle State University obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education. In 1998 she moved to Kearney, NE and began working for KPS as a Paraeducator for Sunrise Middle School. She obtained her first teaching job in 2000 at Hazard Public Schools. She was the sole teacher of the school of 8, teaching Kindergarten-6th grade. In 2002, she married the love of her life Harlan Arehart at the First Baptist Church in Ansley, NE. From this Marriage she had two children Hunter Dean born 5/30/02 and Collin William born 5/31/03.

In 2004 she started the job that became her passion as a site coordinator at Kenwood for KCLC. She took over as Director of the program and expanded it well past the original scope, growing it from four to all of the Elementaries in Kearney and one of the Middle schools. She took over the Backpack program in Kearney, in efforts to make sure no kids went hungry. She stayed in this position until her passing, helping the children of Kearney and preparing countless UNK students to become teachers. 

From a young age faith was a crucial part of Michelle’s life, using her passion for teaching to bring many young people to the light of God. While living in Ravenna she attended Cairo First Baptist where she helped develop the curriculum and teach kid’s church. In 2017, Harlan and Michelle built their dream cabin on Arehart land. This is when she transitioned to First Baptist Church of Mason City. She was always ready to help at the church. She attended a mission trip to take school supplies to the children at Pine Ridge Reservation and she also volunteered at Homeward Trail Bible Camp. 

Michelle was a loving grandmother to three grandchildren: Emily Elizabeth, Violet Marie, and Leo Cain. She also opened her heart and welcomed Taylor Haines, Chance Lewis, Velerianna Garcia, and Justin Lueck as honorary children to her family. 

Through all of Michelle’s accomplishments she had two goals: to bring people closer to Christ and to make the world a happier place. With her unyielding love for every person, she met and her ability to never give up on anyone, she accomplished her goals tenfold. Michelle’s legacy will live on through the lives she touched and everyone she met along the way. 

Michelle is survived by her father, Jake; both sisters, Debora and Sandra; brother, Mike; husband, Harlan; children, Dawna, Kyle, Hunter, and Collin; three grandchildren, Emily, Violet, and Leo; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Kearney, NE at 3610 6th Avenue Kearney, NE 68845 with Pastor Scott Harvey officiating. Burial will follow in the Elk Creek Cemetery near Mason City. Memorials are suggested to the Michelle Arehart KCLC Endowed Fund. A visitation will be held on Monday, September 2nd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow, NE. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of encouragement may be left at www.govierbrothers.com

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