Delores M. Mickelson

Delores M. Mickelson, 88, passed away Saturday July 20, 2019 at the Bethel Home in Viroqua.  She was born August 15, 1930 in rural Coon Valley to John and Olga (Olson) Hoff. She was the youngest, their only daughter.  She had three older brothers, Glen, Jerold and Clayton.

Delores grew up on a farm during the Depression.  Although times were hard and the work harder, she had great memories of her “Ma and Pa”, brothers and the farm.  The work ethic that she developed never left her.  She graduated from Westby High School in 1948.  She fell in love with a young Private First Class who would become her husband.  She and Elmer Mickelson wed on March 5, 1949 in Coon Valley.  They farmed the first several years of their marriage and moved to La Crosse in the mid 1950’s.  Their first son, Dean was born in 1950, son Randy in 1960 and daughter Kristi in 1963.  Aside from farming, Delores worked for many years at Gateway Products in La Crosse as a silk screener.  She also worked at Hillview Nursing Home and Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse.  They also owned an antique store for a number of years in La Crosse called the “Curiosity Shoppe”.  Delores was a very hard worker, but enjoyed life too.   She very much enjoyed spending time with family.  The couple enjoyed Las Vegas, Nashville, Ireland and even took a Caribbean Cruise.  More than anything, Delores had a deep love for her husband.  They were inseparable. When Elmer died in late March, they had just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Survivors include 2 sons, Dean (Linda) and Randy (Mary), a daughter, Kristi (Dennis) Smith; a grandson Eric Mickelson, granddaughters Kathryn (Timothy Jr.) Colby, Hannah (fiancé Alec Schindler) and Rachel (fiancé Zach Woods); a great granddaughter Allyssa Lind, and great, great grandsons Gionni and Kaito.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer and brothers, Glen, Jerold and Clayton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday July 24, 2019 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 6th and Division St. in La Crosse.  Burial will be in the Coon Prairie Cemetery in Westby.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.   Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com.