1941
Lawrence
2015
Lawrence Mikkelson
April 8, 1941 — May 25, 2015
Lawrence Mikkelson, 74, of Fergus Falls died Monday, May 25, 2015 surrounded by his loving family
Lawrence (Larry) Dale Mikkelson was born April 8, 1941, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, to Clarence and Leona (Thompson) Mikkelson, and was baptized and confirmed at the Breckenridge Lutheran Church. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1959 and attended Moorhead State College where he graduated in 1963, with majors in English and speech/theatre. He then left for the East coast to teach for one year in Smithtown, (Long Island) NY. A Midwesterner at heart, Larry returned to the area to teach in Webster, SD for four years. Wadena, MN from 1968-69 was next. At that point, he returned to Moorhead State to work on his Masters in Theatre. While there, Larry taught at the campus high school and in the college speech department. During the summers, starting in 1963, he worked with the Straw Hat Players as assistant to the director, and as House Manager and Box Office Manager. It was there he met his loving wife, Carol. They married in December of 1970, and that year he also returned to Wadena where he continued to teach, coach speech and direct plays. They bought a home on Otter Tail Lake in 1972, and began their family in 1975 with Abby, followed by Jessica in 1977. In 1987, Larry left teaching and went to work as a teacher-advocate for the MN Federation of Teachers, later Ed MN. That job provided them with opportunities to travel all the U.S…north…south…east…and west. Retiring in 2001, Larry and Carol were able to spend their winters in Florida and travel the country.
He is survived by his wife Carol (Bakke) Mikkelson, Fergus Falls, MN, daughters Abby (Karen New) Mikkelson, Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Jessica (Olivier) Cristol, Fargo, ND; grandchildren Josh Mikkelson, Zea and Soren Brannstrom, Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Elodie Cristol, Fargo, ND; siblings DiAnn (Steve) Muellenbach, Milbank, SD, Gail Mehl, Fergus Falls, MN, Hugh (Julie) Mikkelson, Breckenridge, MN, sister-in-law Betty Mikkelson, Fairbault, MN, numerous nieces and nephews and brothers-in-law Richard (Karen A) Bakke, Fargo, ND and Ray (Karen M) Bakke, Fargo ND.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Leona and brothers Gary and Dick. Larry had a marvelous life, and his friend Art Johnson said, it was "one filled with grace".
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, May 29, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor
Visitation: 5-7 PM, Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 PM, at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor - and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. James Grombeck and Intern Keith Lankford
Lawrence (Larry) Dale Mikkelson was born April 8, 1941, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, to Clarence and Leona (Thompson) Mikkelson, and was baptized and confirmed at the Breckenridge Lutheran Church. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1959 and attended Moorhead State College where he graduated in 1963, with majors in English and speech/theatre. He then left for the East coast to teach for one year in Smithtown, (Long Island) NY. A Midwesterner at heart, Larry returned to the area to teach in Webster, SD for four years. Wadena, MN from 1968-69 was next. At that point, he returned to Moorhead State to work on his Masters in Theatre. While there, Larry taught at the campus high school and in the college speech department. During the summers, starting in 1963, he worked with the Straw Hat Players as assistant to the director, and as House Manager and Box Office Manager. It was there he met his loving wife, Carol. They married in December of 1970, and that year he also returned to Wadena where he continued to teach, coach speech and direct plays. They bought a home on Otter Tail Lake in 1972, and began their family in 1975 with Abby, followed by Jessica in 1977. In 1987, Larry left teaching and went to work as a teacher-advocate for the MN Federation of Teachers, later Ed MN. That job provided them with opportunities to travel all the U.S…north…south…east…and west. Retiring in 2001, Larry and Carol were able to spend their winters in Florida and travel the country.
He is survived by his wife Carol (Bakke) Mikkelson, Fergus Falls, MN, daughters Abby (Karen New) Mikkelson, Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Jessica (Olivier) Cristol, Fargo, ND; grandchildren Josh Mikkelson, Zea and Soren Brannstrom, Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Elodie Cristol, Fargo, ND; siblings DiAnn (Steve) Muellenbach, Milbank, SD, Gail Mehl, Fergus Falls, MN, Hugh (Julie) Mikkelson, Breckenridge, MN, sister-in-law Betty Mikkelson, Fairbault, MN, numerous nieces and nephews and brothers-in-law Richard (Karen A) Bakke, Fargo, ND and Ray (Karen M) Bakke, Fargo ND.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Leona and brothers Gary and Dick. Larry had a marvelous life, and his friend Art Johnson said, it was "one filled with grace".
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, May 29, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor
Visitation: 5-7 PM, Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 PM, at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor - and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. James Grombeck and Intern Keith Lankford
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