Roy “Mickey” Mickelson Jr., age 70 of Vining, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D., due to multiple health complications. Memorial Services were held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church, rural Clitherall, with Pastor Mark Erickson officiating. Honorary pallbearers include Brad Sandahl, Wayne Sandahl, Shannon Klimek, Wade Tomford, Mark Wicklund, Richard Wiltfong, Mark Larson, and Alan Hagedorn.  Military Honors were provided by Inspiration Peak American Legion Post #527 of Millerville, Minn. Mickey was laid to rest at the Leaf Mountain Cemetery, rural Clitherall. 

Mickey Mickelson was born on October 22, 1950, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was the son of Roy “Mike” Mickelson Sr. and Glorene Lawanda (Jacobson) Mickelson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member. He attended the little one room schoolhouse in Nidaros Township until the doors were permanently closed. Mickey then attended school in Parkers Prairie and graduated in 1969.  While in high school he was involved in wrestling and football. 

On March 2, 1970, Mickey and Shirley LeeAnn Swenson were united in marriage at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Micheal and Jasson.   

Mickey enlisted in the United States Army on August 20, 1970.  While in service near the Fort Lewis Base near Olympia, Wash., his commanding officer requested that he remain in the Army and transfer to Washington D.C. to cook at the Pentagon.  He declined the offer as he felt it was time to take his family and return home to Minnesota. After an honorable discharge on June 2, 1972, Mickey and Shirley made their lifelong home south of Vining where they built their dairy farm.   

Mickey loved to cook, bake, and have a good cup of coffee while visiting with family and friends. When there was free time on the farm, he liked to hunt and fish. He often went spearfishing with neighbors and family. In the past few years, Mickey provided a “deer hunting camp” for his brother, Brian, and friends. They would gather, eat, head out in the dark, come back for chili, and head out again.  The hunters never went hungry, and they never had enough hours to laugh and tell stories about the one that “got away” or “buck fever.”   

He will be dearly missed by family and friends.   

Mickey was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Sr. and Glorene, his wife, Shirley and her deceased family members: Joely Swenson, Johnny Swenson, Harriet and Warner Knapp, Marilyn and Orris Sandahl, and Lorella and George Hartman. 

Mickey’s sons, Micheal and Jasson, will continue on the home farm south of Vining. He is also survived by siblings: Pam Mickelson of Brandon Minn., Greg (Sandy) Mickelson of Washington; Brian (JoAnn Nelson) Mickelson of Brandon Minn., and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.   

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Roy’s Tribute Wall. 

Arrangements provided by Belmont-Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Henning.