Obituary: Leonard L. Mickelson
Leonard L. Mickelson “Hammer,” age 80, of Pelican Lake died unexpectedly March 30, 2016. He was born in Crookston, Minn. February 7, 1936 to Martin and Lillian (Rivette) Mickelson. At the age of four, he moved with his mother and step father, Anton Sr. to Rock Falls, Ill. Leonard graduated from Rock Falls High and served briefly in the Army at 19 years old. He went to college at Rockhill University and Kansas City Technical Institute in Kansas City, Missouri and went on to become an electrical engineer.
He worked for Kansas City Power and Light, Clay and Bailey Manufacturing, Frank Foundries, Chain of Lakes Engineering, Milwaukee Malleable and Gray Iron Works. More recently he worked for Triumph Twist drill for 21 years, Best Western Claridge, Laona High school, Village Inn Laundromat and the DNR. He was a member of the Pelican Lake Fire department and did Fire Prevention Inspections from 1982 and on. Leonard and his wife, ran part-time G&M Investment Repairs for 15 years and Village Inn Laundromat. He loved caring for his little buddy (pet) Max.
He loved to fish; you couldn’t get him off the lake once on. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, especially participating in the Tomahawk Fall ride every year. He was always fixing or repairing something and he loved his video casino games at home. He was a very loving man with a good outlook on life.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Debra Janice of 38 years; his children, Leonard Jr. of Cedar Hill, Mo., Lorraine Lapp of Cedar Hills, Mo., Sharon (Bruce) Livingston of Lawrence, Kan., Angela (Lewis) Santos and Amelia (Greg) Schweda-Rudoll of Milwaukee; 19 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Tony (Oma) Mickelson of Rock Falls, Ill., Stanely (Paula) Mickelson of Iowa, Andy Mickelson of Ocean Side, Calif.; sisters, Patti (Joe) Mathis of Marion, Ill. and Deborah (Ray) Jamieson of Sterling, Ill.; dearest brother-in-law of Brian Gresbach of Milwaukee, Patricia Gresbach of Hurley and Leslie Wojczynski of Cudahy; uncle of Curtis Gresbach of Milwaukee, Damian (Nicole) Gresbach of Hartford, Michele Gresbach of Cudahy, Tracy Wojczynski of Cudahy and other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sweet nephew, Little Andy, his father-in-law and mother-in-law.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 5 at 11 a.m. at Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home with Deacon Michael Harvey officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists 24 E. Davenport St. Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501 – 715-365-4343. Celebrating lives & healing hearts. All are invited to light a candle, sign the guestbook, leave a photo or an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.
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