Services for Winton “Micky” Ames Mickelson
Obituary for Winton Ames Mickelson
Winton “Micky” Ames Mickelson of Oklee, MN, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2022, at his home in rural Oklee with his loving wife, Linda, and family by his side. His last hours were spent listening to music played by his family that he so loved.
Winton Ames Mickelson was born on September 14, 1931, at the Outpost in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Canada, to parents Ames Ohio and Della Jane (Robertson) Mickelson. At the age of three months, Micky and his family moved to 2809 North 4th Street Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Micky later attended school at Sidney Pratt Elementary. Micky was a great storyteller and shared many stories about living in Minneapolis. Whenever he returned to the cities, he had a great recollection of the streets, places, and people who lived there.
In the early 1940’s, the family moved to Grand Forks, ND, where his father was employed at the North Dakota State Mill. They lived in a house on the fairgrounds which is where they began to milk cows. As a youngster, Micky also got a job with the Minnesota Dairy riding the wagon and delivering milk. The free sips of chocolate milk were his favorite part of the job. Micky loved being around the horses and, for much of his early life, always had a riding horse. His favorite horse was named “King”. While living in Grand Forks he attended Grand Forks Central High School.
Micky always wanted to be on the farm, and his dream came true in the fall of 1946 when the family again moved to the “Lund” farm east of Leonard, Minnesota. They continued to milk cows, but moved to the Shepperdson Sheep Ranch south of Clearbrook in the spring. The farm was renamed the “M” Ranch Dairy. For his 16th birthday, the family purchased two surge milking machines which were prized possesions. It was also at Clearbrook that music entered Micky’s life. His cousin and her husband lived nearby, and Micky was taught to play the guitar. Later, he received a mandolin from his parents ordered from the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue. Soon he found his God given talent of playing guitar, mandolin, and fiddle which provided him with a life long love for music. He was a terrific musician.
In October of 1952, the family moved for the last time to Garnes Township, west of Oklee, MN. They continued to milk cows and, in 1958, were named Dairy Farmers of the Year. This farm was his home for 70 years.
Micky married the love of his life, Linda Kay Ellickson, on June 13, 1964, at Valle Lutheran Church east of Oklee. Linda and Micky made their home on the Garnes Farm, and Micky continued to farm in addition to working at American Crystal Sugar. The couple raised three children – Eric, Angel, and Cole – who all graduated from Oklee High School. Linda and Micky raised their children with the utmost love and care that would be the envy of any child. After the cows were sold, Micky raised crops and was a bus driver for the RLCC school district for 14 years – a job that made him happy and gave him many memories. He was also on the Garnes Township Board.
Micky loved telling jokes, even if sometimes his own laughter made the telling of the joke take a long time! He loved time with family, the farm, country and bluegrass music, watching sports, a cup of coffee with a cookie or donut, and especially his loving and caring wife, Linda.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda; 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 Bemidji, MN, Guy, Bronco, Clark, and Summer Bergeson all of Oklee, MN; great grandchildren, Archer James and Juniper Lynn Mickelson, Callan Heath and Lola Kay Mickelson. He is also survived by one sister, Gloria (who Micky named Dodo) Bayans of Houma, LA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ames and Della Mickelson, brother Ralph Morgan, sisters Raymonde Stroh, and Merle Bottoms. He was also preceded in death by his very special pet, a cat named Tommy. There was never a cat that got such special care!