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UPDARE: HANCOCK
David P. Mickelsen, 80, of Hancock, passed away peacefully February 18, 2019, in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, 2019, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home in Hancock
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, with Pastor Jesse Aho to officiate. Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc.
HANCOCK
David P. Mickelsen, 80, of Hancock, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 18, 2019, in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
He was born April 27, 1938, in Hancock, Michigan, the son of the Rev. Andrew and Mary (Bikkie) Mickelsen.
David was a graduate of Hancock Central High School with the Class of 1956. David was a star basketball and football player, winning the Funke award as the top basketball player in the Western UP in 1956. He played on an all-star team against the Harlem Globetrotters and played two years of basketball at Michigan Tech. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in business administration in 1960 and served in the National Guard. He is a member of the Hancock Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
David and Marilyn Margaret Mickelson met in the spring of 1964 at the Newton Avenue Lutheran Church in Minneapolis when Marilyn introduced herself as Marilyn Mickelson. Not knowing they shared the same last name, David assumed Marilyn was being presumptuous. In fact, she was prophetic. The couple was married on July 11, 1964. They resided in Minnesota until returning to make their home in the Copper Country in 1976.
David worked as a divisional supervisor for Fingerhut in Minnesota for 15 years and then worked as an entrepreneur in the Copper Country owning the King’s Inn, King’s Table and other business ventures.
David and Marilyn were active in the Plymouth, Minnesota, and Hancock Lutheran Churches, all the years of their marriage. David served on the Zion Lutheran Board and was a founding member of Lutheran Bible Fellowship which sponsored the first Bible Camp and continues to this day at the Lahti Retreat Center.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Naomi Johnson; brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Lou Mickelsen; and a brother-in-law, Ross Wolfe.
Surviving are his wife Marilyn; sons, Paul Mickelsen and Steven Mickelsen (Alison); daughter Jane Christine Woryn; grandchildren, Austin Woryn, Connor Woryn and Alyssa Woryn; sisters, Joyce Tibbs (Stewart Lee), Norma (Robert) Nominelli, and Fayth Wolfe. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
His interests included hunting, boating, and attending Michigan Tech and Hancock High School sporting events. If his children or grandchildren were involved – his was the loudest and most supportive voice.
David will forever be remembered for his love of family and church. He would brighten a room by joyously breaking into improvised song with enthusiasm. His optimism inspired his children to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams and passions knowing that he would support them with unconditional love.
Visitation for David will be held at the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home in Hancock on April 18th from 4 to 6 p.m. and a Celebration of Life at Zion Lutheran Church on April 20 at 11:00 am with Pastor Jesse Aho officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Private burial will take place at the Lakeside Cemetery.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorials in David’s memory be given to either Zion Lutheran Church or Lutheran Bible Fellowship.
Arrangements are being handled by the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home of Hancock, Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.
