Obituary of Michaela Christine Richardson

Michaela (Goecke) Richardson, 27, of Johnstown, Colorado passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Michaela was born in Longmont, Colorado on November 1, 1995 to her parents, Michael and Patricia (Dunning) Goecke. She was raised in Longmont until the age of 8, when she moved to Johnstown. She graduated with honors from Roosevelt High School in Johnstown in 2014 and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in 2018.

From a young age, she enjoyed spending her time working on projects at home with her father and found her love of animals, starting with horseback riding. She was passionate about animals and dedicated her life to rescuing animals. When she got a place of her own, she couldn’t resist adopting any pet in need. Michaela loved her pets. She and her husband affectionately cared for two dogs (Ringo and Jeff), five cats (Mable, Oliver, Chloe, Dexter, and Coffee), 3 ferrets (Capone, Slinky, and Vinny), 2 guinea pigs, and two fish aquariums. She enjoyed wildlife viewing and would take any opportunity to head to the mountains to look for beavers, moose and bighorn sheep, among others.

Her big and loving heart was not only reserved for animals. She was compassionate and caring for all those around her. When she was only 8 years old and learning to sew, she made a whole box full of very soft caps for children hospitalized with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy to donate to the Children’s Hospital. She was always thinking of ways to help others and would give selflessly. She volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club and many other community organizations.

She loved adventure. She traveled to New Orleans, Washington D.C., Hawai‘i, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Europe (Italy, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic) on various school, youth group and personal vacations. She also enjoyed crafting and would create intricate wreaths during the holidays and attend craft fairs. She also uniquely crafted personalized décor for her family.

She enjoyed music and had a natural ability to play. She played the piano, guitar and French horn and also played (just for fun) the trumpet, mandolin and many others. She played in many competitions and was the only student from her school district selected for the University of Colorado Middle School State Honor Band. She continued to perform with several more Honor bands and orchestras and All-State Band throughout high school. She also performed in community ensembles and even the church Bluegrass band. She wanted to share her love of music with others and started her love of teaching by mentoring students in elementary and middle school bands, as well as teaching private French horn lessons. She started attending the University of Northern Colorado in 2014 majoring in Elementary Education with an emphasis in music.

After graduating from UNC, she followed her passion into a teaching career. She was a beloved second grade teacher at Knowledge Quest Academy in Milliken, Colorado. She loved her students and staff, and she took great pride in coming up with creative activities to support and enrich her students’ learning. She tirelessly pursued inventive ways to engage and inspire her students and work to their individual strengths and needs.

On June 7, 2021, she married Cody Richardson at Ellis Ranch in Colorado, a rekindled romance from high school. Together, they enjoyed camping, 4x4ing, and motorcycle riding. They truly brought out the best in each other and would go on adventures exploring nature and having fun. She will be remembered for her quirky sense of humor, infectious laugh and smile, and fierce loyalty to her friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her father, Michael Goecke.

Thankful to have shared her life are her husband of 1.5 years, Cody Richardson of Johnstown, her mother, Pat Goecke of Johnstown, her four siblings, Jason Goecke (Suzette) of Frederick, CO, Jared Goecke (Jennifer) of Maud, TX, Stacia (Travis) Marcoux of Massachusetts, Bryanna Goecke of California, her nieces and nephews, Ivan Goecke, Mason Simms, Ashtyn Goecke, and Henry Marcoux, in addition to Cody’s parents, Amanda and Scott Nix and all of their families. 

Michaela’s family will have a private service at Adamson Life Celebration Home.  Her Life Celebration will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Knowledge Quest Academy, Milliken. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made in her name to the “EveryCat Health Foundation” (everycat.org) or in care of Adamson, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Friends may leave condolences at AdamsonCares.com.

Live Stream Link:  

https://www.youtube.com/@dodgemediagroup8558