Michael (Haram) Obituary

Michael Sue Kern (Dillon) (Haram), 80, of Mancos, CO, passed away on September 23, surrounded by loved ones. Michael, the fourth of seven children, was born on November 14, 1944, to Richard and Betty Dillon (Ertel) in Olympia, Washington. After graduating from Mancos High School, she worked at nearby Mesa Verde National Park, where she met her first husband, Phillip Haram. Michael and Phillip had three children, Jeffrey, Eric and Christopher. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology from the University of Nebraska, Michael attained a Juris Doctor law degree from the University of Wyoming. She practiced law for 30 years, first as a prosecutor for the city of Laramie, WY and afterwards as a personal injury attorney in Tucson, AZ. Michael enjoyed a second chapter of her life with her second husband, David Kern, with whom she loved cooking gourmet meals, entertaining friends and family, and traveling as often as possible. Her grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua and Emily Haram filled her heart with pride and joy and brought a special smile to her face every time she saw them. Michael was athletic. She played tennis, golf and softball and was an avid jogger for a good part of her life. She loved spending time with her family in the mountains, hiking and skiing, always packing picnic lunches. She was also an enthusiastic sports fan and loved cheering on her sons, grandchildren and nieces and nephews whenever possible. Michael was a plant enthusiast and always kept her house full of a variety of beautiful plants and liked keeping a garden. She really loved all types of plant life, true to her nurturing nature. Michael was an outspoken advocate for under-represented people and animals throughout her life and was a very loving, compassionate person. She had a quick wit and a great sense of humor and to know her was to love her. Despite her marriages and career drawing her away, her heart never truly left her beloved Mancos Valley and the numerous Dillon and Ertel family members that she loved so dearly. Michael was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Dixie Robbins and Sharon Bott; brothers-in-law, Ralph Robbins, Henry Ewing, Gene Bott and Gerald Frazier; and her sons, Jeffrey and Eric Haram. She is survived by her sisters, Roma Ewing, Diane (Jeff) Muller and Pat Morgan; her brother, Scott (AJ) Dillon; brother-in-law, Steve Morgan; sister-in-law, Danette Dillon; her first husband, Phillip (Barbara) Haram; her son Chris (Angela) Haram; her grandchildren, Jake, Josh and Emmy; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous other relatives and friends. A memorial service to be held in Mancos is being planned for the spring of 2026.