Michelle Robin Dzuranin,72, of Cortez, CO, passed away at home May 29, 2026. She was a resident of Cortez for 23 years.

Michelle was born on October 6, 1953 in Elyria, Ohio to Phyllis Flanagan and Richard Fahrney.

Asa child she was in foster care, including a boarding school for girls. At the age of 11, the loving Hardin family took her in. She loved her foster family: parents Chet and Barbara; sisters Melissa Hardin of San Diego, CA, Denise Winkowski of El Cajon, CA and Kim Sykes of Elk Grove, CA. Michelle later changed her name to Hardin.

In 1972, she graduated from Columbia High School in Ohio.

She was in U.S. Navy boot camp but was discharged while pregnant.

Wolves were her passion and spiritual animal. She raised hybrid wolves in the state of Washington, Alaska, and Idaho.

She loved to cook, and everyone loved her lasagna. Her favorite color was purple.

Preceding Michelle in death were her parents and foster father.

She is survived by her husband, Dan Dzuranin of Cortez; her children Joshua Nicklas of Cortez, Chris Nicklas of Emmett, ID, Lorin Paddock of Sandy, UT, and Katie Erickson of Orlando, FL; and 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild; half sisters: Rose Coleman of Buckhannon, WV, Beth Hammock of Fairborn, OH, Debbie Fahrney of Elyria, OH, half brothers: Richard Fahrney JR of Hartsville, TN, Roger Burton of Kennewick, WA.

Everyday she sent Facebook messages to her family and friends and will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Michelle's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026 at Ertel Memorial Chapel.