Michele Bodenstein
June 29, 1982 - January 2, 2026
Michele Ellen McChristian Bodenstein 43, of Ponca City, Oklahoma passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026 after courageously battling cancer for 4 ½ years. She was surrounded by all of her family. She will be remembered for her compassion, devotion, and unwavering support for others.
Michele was born on June 29, 1982, in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Bobby McChristian and Monica Brown McChristian. She was a devoted mother, a loving wife, a cherished daughter, a treasured sister and aunt whose presence brought comfort, strength, and joy to her family. Growing up, she played travel softball continuing through college. She loved all of her family, pets, and was her mom’s shadow as a child. Everyone who knew Michele loved her. She had the kindest spirit and showed gracefulness always. She had a strong love for her mom and her sisters and thought of them as her best friends. She had a special relationship with her Uncle Bernard and loved him dearly.
On July 9th, 2010, Michele married Chad Bodenstein. She always wanted a large family and together they were blessed with 5 beautiful children. Michele’s children were her greatest accomplishment in life. She loved each one of them so much and everything she did was for them. She always made time for her kids, showing love and support always. She was involved in everything they did, even during her sickness. She had immense love for all of her kids and was the best mom that anyone could ask for. Michele had deep faith and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church regularly before becoming sick. She was a god parent to several nieces and nephews and took that role seriously.
Michele’s love of sports was a meaningful part of her life. She attended Northern Oklahoma College, where she played softball and earned her Associate’s Degree. She then continued her education at Oklahoma State University, graduating in December of 2005 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Her dedication, teamwork, and perseverance on the field carried into her classroom and everyday life.
Michele had a deep and abiding love for children and family, which guided every part of her life. She was a passionate teacher who dedicated 15 years to Ponca City Public Schools and 2 years to EPIC Charter Schools. Teaching was more than a career-it was a calling. Michele poured her heart into her students, always believing in them and celebrating their successes. She was often described by many students as their favorite teacher.
Michele had many talents. Along with being a teacher, she also found a love for photography. She loved taking pictures of her kids and all friends and family. She was creative and loved to incorporate her creativity into her pictures. She loved helping people and always put others before herself.
Family and community were at the center of Michele’s world. She was sports oriented and could always be found cheering from the sidelines or the stands, proudly supporting her children, loved ones, and anyone in need of encouragement. Loyal, caring, and genuine, Michele was loved by all who knew her and served as a hero in the truest sense-selfless, steady, and endlessly supportive. Michele’s memory will live on through the many lives she touched, the children she taught, and the family she cherished so deeply.
Michele is survived by her husband, Chad Bodenstein; her five children Kobie, Kya, Tinley, Reese, and Beckham Bodenstein; her mother, Monica Brown McChristian; her father, Bobby McChristian; her aunt and uncles, Bernard Brown, Jack and Lisa McChristian; her sisters, Kim McChristian, Natalie Lively, Courtney and Jake Leven, Abigail and Dwayne Bastion; her nieces and nephews, Triston McChristian, Corey McChristian, Ashton Leven, Mckenzi Leven, Collier Lively, Kaytum Lively, Jordan Lively, Sophia Bastion, Alice Bastion, Luke Bastion, Benjamin Bastion; great-nieces and nephews, Ayden Graham, Bentleigh McChristian, Aspen McChristian, Shai McChristian, as well many other relatives.
She is preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; Edwin and Ellen Brown, and Marvin and Dorothy McChristian; her aunt and uncles, Virginia Stuever, Lyman Brown, Norman Brown, and Bill Brown.
Viewing will be held at Trout Funeral Home on Thursday, January 8th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 8th at Trout Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, January 9th at 2 p.m. Michele will be laid to rest at Resthaven Cemetery following the service. Casket bearers include Kobie Bodenstein, Jake Leven, Corey McChristian, Collier Lively, and Alex Wofford. Honorary casket bearers are Bernard Brown and Dwayne Bastion.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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