Saintly servant of God who died on Christmas

Michelle Duppong died on Christmas Day 2015 at her home in Haymarsh, ND, at the age of 31, following a year-long fight with cancer. She dearly loved Christmas, and it was apparent to anyone who met her that she loved Jesus above all else, so it was both bitter and sweet for her to be united with Him on the feast of His birth. 

On November 1, 2022, Michelle received the title “Servant of God” when Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck, ND, who had presided at Michelle’s funeral Mass several years earlier, officially opened her cause for canonization during an All Saints’ Day Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. 

Almost immediately after her funeral — which took place on December 29, 2015, one year to the day after her cancer diagnosis — her family and the offices of the Diocese of Bismarck began receiving cards and letters from people who knew Michelle or had heard of her and were touched by her life and faith. Some reported having received answers to prayers through her intercession.

Michelle had worked as director of faith formation for the Bismarck diocese following four years as a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary. The fourth of Mary Ann and Ken Duppong’s six children, she was raised on a farm and lived a seemingly ordinary life. But members of Legatus’ Bismarck Chapter who knew her agree that her ordinariness was extraordinary: Michelle was humble, holy, and always full of joy. 

‘Grace and dignity’

Ray and Joyce Gruby of the Bismarck Chapter met Michelle through a friend who sponsored her as a FOCUS missionary. “He and Michelle joined us at our home to discuss FOCUS,” Joyce recalled. “We sensed her deep love of the Catholic faith. She was eager to share the good news of Jesus with others.”

Especially memorable, Joyce said, was that Michelle helped organize the diocese’s “Thirst” conferences, events which brought in national speakers and continue to this day. “I will never forget her remarks after the closing Mass,” she said. “Michelle, with tears in her eyes, thanked everyone for attending the conference, but she especially wanted everyone to know how much Bishop Kagan loved us.”

Ray agreed. “Each and every time I met her, I was struck by her soft-spoken grace and dignity on all topics,” he recalled. “The last time I spoke to her was as she was seated in a wheelchair at a street gathering outside the cathedral. Even then, with obvious wasting of her physical frame, she spoke to me in an encouraging fashion and, as usual, her attention always was devoted to the person she was engaging.”

Pamela Vetter, a member of Legatus’ Bismarck Chapter along with husband Greg, worked with Michelle at the diocesan offices. “She would talk about saints and had their pictures on her office door,” Pamela remembered. It was through Michelle that she learned about the “incorruptible” saints, whose bodies had miraculously not decayed. 

“Michelle was special,” Pamela said. “She was holy, but yet, she had a really fun side to her.”

A particularly touching memory was when she brought a particular concern to Michelle, who replied, “Why don’t we pray about this?” Pamela said. “And then she prayed a beautiful prayer. She was so joyful all the time. I don’t think she ever had a bad day.”

‘Make it clear, simple, and easy’

Rebecca Lengenfelder, who with husband Kris is a member of the Bismarck Chapter, was the state Teens for Life director when Michelle was involved during high school. 

“She was always positive and prayerful and never a downer,” Rebecca said. “If she saw a teen who seemed not to fit in, she made sure they felt included. She was very good at motivating people and not ashamed to be pro-life, often speaking with people at the Teens for Life booth we had every year at the state fair.” 

On a personal note, Rebecca shared that her family is praying for Michelle’s intercession for their daughter Ali, a wife and mother of two young children with a slow-growing cancer that has exhausted all possible treatments. 

“Ali met her as a little kid and remembers a group of girls would pray with them,” Rebecca said. “We were praying for Michelle, and when she passed, Ali said, ‘I know she’s not officially a saint, but I’m going to ask for her intercession.’”

Father Thomas Grafsgaard, chaplain for the Bismarck Chapter, has been appointed postulator for Michelle’s cause, which is currently in the diocesan phase. 

“The Church is very careful and meticulous,” he noted. “Every cause is different, and it takes as long as it takes.” He explained that extensive interviews still need to be conducted and all Michelle’s writings and speeches will be carefully examined before moving forward. 

“To be able to get to know about Michelle is extraordinary,” he said. “Now, I often pray the way Michelle would pray: ‘Jesus make it clear, simple, and easy.’ 

“Her cause shows that God is still a big part of our world and diocese.”