Linda Mickelson Obituary, Death – On January 9, 2023, Linda Kay (Ellickson) Mickelson died abruptly at her remote Oklee, MN home. Linda was born August 23, 1942, in Fosston, Minnesota, to Clarence Elmer and Gertrude Marion (Halvorson) Ellickson. Older siblings Arlene, Roger, and Gloria Ellickson welcomed her. Clarence, her father, was excited to welcome a baby (perhaps a boy) to the farm. Buying a 1942 B John Deere. Linda was a “country girl” who worked with sheep, milked cows, and drove that John Deere tractor! She recounted her 4-H experiences at the Minnesota State Fair.
Oklee Public School graduated Linda in 1960. Bemidji State University awarded her an elementary education degree. She played basketball and french horn in Bemidji’s band. She taught at Washington Elementary School (now J.A. Hughes) in Red Lake Falls after student teaching in Thief River Falls, MN. She touched many students and families here. 45 years of teaching 3rd and 2nd grade were her most fulfilling. Linda’s work decorated many students’ houses. She was thrilled to be a teacher whose lessons went beyond the classroom. Linda made her students feel special even today. Linda always got hugs from her former students, no matter their age. She founded Linda Mickelson Outdoor Classroom. She substitute taught for several years after retiring, especially when she could teach one of her grandchildren, which they loved too!
Linda married Winton Ames Mickelson at the Valle Church east of Oklee, MN, at 8:00PM on June 13, 1964. The couple briefly lived in Red Lake Falls, MN, before returning to the Mickelson home farm in Garnes Township, Red Lake County, Minnesota. They had three children. Eric, Angel, and Cole, Oklee Public School graduates. The classroom cared for her children tenfold. Linda would wake up her kids at night to play with them. She was a lovely, hardworking mother.
Linda also farmed. She milked cows and cared for calves and other animals in the barn for hours. When a tree fell and their house was gone, a squirrel family was bottle-fed along with several calves, lambs, and kittens. She never gave up on lifesaving! She was a skilled combine operator who worked on the farm with her husband. Linda adored visiting her children and grandchildren’s sports and school events. She would attend any family event. She loved the Timberwolves. Few televised games and few in-person games were missed. Her living room included a photo of her and Karl Anthony Towns! She worked at the Minnesota Science Museum, was fair board president, and served on numerous other boards. She played bridge, had breakfast or supper with friends, and spent as much time as possible with her family in retirement.
Her kindness to family and friends was unmatched. She gave unconditionally to others. Her parents, Clarence and Gertrude(Halvorson)Ellickson, brother Roger, sister Arlene(Wayne)Cease, and loving husband Winton(Mickey) Mickelson died before her. Linda is survived by her children, Eric (Patty) Mickelson of Oklee, MN, Angel (Skip) Bergeson of Oklee, MN, Cole (Rhonda) Mickelson of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Nickolas (Nicole) Mickelson of Trail, MN, Marshall (Rochelle) Mickelson of Red Lake Fall, MN, Heath (Kaylee) Mickelson of Menahga, MN, Guy, Bronco, Clark, and Summer Bergeson, all of Oklee; and great-grandchildren, Archer James, Juniper Lynn, Callan Heath, and Lola One sister, Gloria(Dave)Melby of St. Cloud, MN, and many loving nieces and nephews and their families survive her. Linda declined a funeral.
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