Maresa Michele returned to her heavenly home on November 17, 2025, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). While she had many trials in her life, she never let her circumstances hold her back in any way.

Born on March 20, 1979, Maresa was the firstborn child of Bob and Becky Graham. She was born on a brisk spring Idaho day at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Boise Idaho and brought her parents so much joy. Maresa spent her early years with her parents in a small two-bedroom home, eagerly waiting for siblings, which eventually came in the form of twin brothers, Jacob and Jeremy. As siblings often do, they gave their parents a run for their money, which was easy to do since they shared a small room in their home.

In the summer of 1986 Maresa was able to get her own bedroom when they moved to a fruit farm in Emmett Idaho, an adventure she thoroughly enjoyed. She gained her love of country life; raising chickens, caring for rabbits, and finding cats and dogs to have as pets. Her love of animals carried over to her adult life, a love she shared with her husband of 24 years and a trait she passed to her son from the time of his birth.

As a young girl, Maresa was a Girl Scout and embraced the experience with both hands. She loved all the activities like bowling, arts and crafts, and fieldtrips. But she especially loved selling Girl Scout cookies so she could get her all-time favorite cookie... Tag-Alongs. Maresa also enjoyed her school years, from her various elementary schools, all the way to high school where she graduated in 1997 from Borah High School. Borah is where Maresa met her sweetheart, Michael Roethig, at the age of 14. They were friends long before they started seriously started dating their junior year up until the time of their wedding.  On September 15, 2001, they married in a picture-perfect wedding at the Boise Train Depot in front of their family and friends as they started a new chapter in life together. As Michael says, “she is the love of my life” and he couldn’t wait for their new adventures together.

Shortly after their wedding, Maresa was officially diagnosed with MS. This wasn’t the adventure they were expecting; however, they embraced the trial together and their mantra became, “Together we will get through this.” Unsure if children were in their future because of her MS, Mike and Maresa were over-joyed when they welcomed their son, Ayden, on February 28, 2009. This family of two became a family of three and they did as much together as possible, even with the physical limitations Maresa had. One of Ayden’s favorite things was when Maresa put him on her lap and let him ‘drive’ her around the house or mall in her wheelchair. Many baseboards were scuffed, many holes were made, but the memories of those moments will last a lifetime. The smile they both had was a favorite of many who saw them together.

Maresa loved arts and craft, especially scrapbooking memories of her family, vacations, and special moments she wanted to always remember. She loved swimming with her son and family, taking photos, and watching movies in her home. She loved music, especially the 80’s bands, with her favorite band being Journey. Although, Amazed by Lonestar always held a special place in her heart as that was her ‘first dance’ at her wedding.

Although Maresa had physical limitations, she always had a smile on her face and she never complained. When asked how she was doing, she always responded with, “I’m good. How are you?” She had a great sense of humor that will be missed, courage and strength that left many inspired, and a special way to encourage others to keep going.

“When you remember me,

please do not weep.

My body may not be there,

It has chosen to sleep.

I'm not far away,

my soul lives on

looking down, watching you and everyone.

And when you feel sad

and life seems so blue,

just remember that my spirit

has its arms around you.

And on those special days,

times that you wish I could see,

that cool breeze flowing past you...

Well, that will be me.”

Forever in our hearts, you will always be.