Richard Gene Mickelson 1925-2010

WERNITCH, MICKELSON, JOHNSON, KESSEL, BALLANTYNE, PIERSCHBACHER, RAINWATER

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 4/21/2010 at 09:28:38

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa April 14, 2010)

MICKELSON, Richard Gene, 84, of Lamoni, Iowa, died Sunday, April. 4, 2010, at the Lamoni Nursing and Rehabilitation center. Funeral services were held April 9 at the Lamoni Community of Christ Church with Donn Henson and Jim Slauter officiating. Burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery in Lamoni, Iowa. Arrangements were through Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon and Lamoni.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa April 14, 2010)

RICHARD MICKELSON ... Richard Gene Mickelson, age 84, of Lamoni, Iowa, son of Lester Walter and Esther May [Wernitch] Michelson, was born July 24, 1925, in Kellerton, Iowa, and died on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010 at the Lamoni Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

As a young boy, Richard moved with his family to his grandfather's farm south of Lamoni. He attended school in Lamoni, graduating in 1942, and then attended Graceland College for a year before beginning his farming career.

Richard married Jean Slauter of December 18, 1948. Four children were born to Richard and Jean: Shirley Jean, Carol Ann, Marilyn Kay, and Ronald Lee.

A lifelong farmer who loved the land, Richard worked hard and was always willing to help a neighbor in need. The family farm became a Century Farm in 1976. In addition to farming, Richard also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and long drives through the countryside that he loved so much.

Richard was always concerned about this family, his friends, and his community, and he served them in many ways. He was an Elder in the Community of Christ Church, and also served on countless community boards including: Lamoni School Board, Farmers Coop Board, REC (Rural Electric Cooperative) Board, CIPCO Board, Rose Hill Cemetery Board, and the Decatur County Conservation Board.

Preceding Richard in death were his parents, daughter Carol Johnson, and brothers Gerald and Raymond Mickelson.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Jean Mickelson, of Lamoni; children: Shirley Kessel and husband Leon of Lamon, Marilyn Ballantyne and husband Winn of Kansas City, and Ronnie Mickelson of Lamoni; son-in-law Greg Johnson of Troy, Kansas; 9 grandchildren: Brian Kessel and wife Heather, Sam Kessel and wife Laura, Megan Johnson, Bret Johnson, Jeff Ballantyne and wife Deborah, Aaron Ballantyne and wife Melissa, Nate Pierschbacher, Matt Mickelson, and Joe Mickelson; 4 great grandchildren: Rebecca Rainwater, Emaleigh Pierschbacher, Noah Ballantyne, and Lincoln Kessel; and many other relatives and friends.