Mickelson, Roger (1928-2016)

MICKELSON, OLSON, SISLER, PIERCE

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 9/10/2016 at 15:24:27

Roger Mickelson
May 23, 1928 - August 1, 2016

A Rembrandt area man committed to family, faith, farming, and community service has gone to his heavenly home. Roger Edwin Mickelson, age 88, died on Monday, August 1, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Joining his older sister Virginia, Roger was born on the family farm near Rembrandt on May 23, 1928, to C. Edwin and Emma Mickelson. After Edwin died of leukemia five years later, the family remained on the farm, which Emma successfully managed with hired help.

After graduating from Rembrandt High School in 1945, Roger attended Buena Vista College and Iowa State College, earning a degree in farm operations. In 1949, he came back to farm the home place. In addition, he directed the city band for two summers at the Rembrandt band shell on Wednesday nights. Cars parked nearby would honk their horns in appreciation after each selection.

Roger’s farming and band activities ended in 1951 when he was called into the U.S. Army to served as a medic in the Korean conflict. After returning, he married Ruth Ann Olson, also of Rembrandt, on June 28, 1953. They raised corn, soybeans, livestock, and five children. He enjoyed his family and had a special interest in supporting his children’s and grandchildren’s sports and music activities.

Roger witnessed significant changes in farming during his lifetime from the use of draft horses, neighborhood threshing rings, and picking corn by hand to the emergence of tractors, multi-row equipment, commercial fertilizer, and herbicides.

Roger valued community service. Active at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served as a trustee, deacon, and president of the council. Moreover, he served with the county Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for twenty-two years, on the Rembrandt school board for twelve years, on the local Farmers Home Administration Board, and on the County Extension Service Board. As a member of the Farm Bureau, he, also, served as a county director, treasurer, vice president, president, and voting delegate. In 1975, Roger received a “Volunteer in Agriculture Award” from Buena Vista College. He retired from farming in 1993.

Those left to celebrate his legacy include his wife, Ruth; his children, Karen (Doug) Sisler, of Dallas, Texas, Edwin (Wendy) Mickelson, of Marysville, Ohio, James (Kim) Mickelson, of Odebolt, Iowa, Gary (Deborah) Mickelson, of Springdale, Arkansas, and Steven (Colette) Mickelson, of Ankeny, Iowa; eighteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and his sister, Virginia (Keith) Pierce, of Storm Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Rembrandt, Iowa, with Pastor Rhonda Wykoff officiating. Interment with military rites will follow at the Little Sioux Valley Cemetery northwest of Rembrandt following the service. Visitation with family and friends will take place at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake on Friday, August 5, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2016, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes

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