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UPDATE: A funeral service for Marilyn M. Mickelsen, 83, of Wesley Chapel, FL, and former Hancock resident, who passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026, in Wesley Chapel, Florida, will be held 11:00 am Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Zion Lutheran Church of Hancock with Pastor Jesse Aho to officiate. Burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock.
Friends may call on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 4 to 6:00 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel at 5:30 all will be invited to share memories of Marilyn at the funeral home. Another visitation also will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 10 am until time of services at the church.
Marilyn M. Mickelsen, 83, of Wesley Chapel, FL passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026, in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
She was born October 5, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of the Albert and Edna (Savela) Mickelson. Marilyn graduated from Minneapolis North High School with the Class of 1960. She then attended the University of Minnesota and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1964.
A survivor. Her sister Joan shared many stories of growing up in Minnesota. A quick sampling.
She survived getting locked in an outhouse, with her cousin, Mary, on her grandmother’s farm. Mary’s brother, Butch, was responsible. She survived a severe case of whooping cough which she caught from our next door neighbor. She was this girl’s babysitter. She survived getting hit in the head by a brick tied to a rope. On the other end of the rope was her brother, John, who thought swinging the rope, brick attached, was kind of fun. There was a lot of blood, and she said she was glad to have a sweater to help with the bleeding. David Mickelsen 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 lived in Minnesota until moving to the Copper Country in 1976.
She worked for the State of Michigan for many years as a social worker helping with high risk pregnancy situations.
Marilyn was active in the Plymouth, Minnesota, and Hancock Lutheran Churches, all the years of their marriage. They were founding members of Lutheran Bible Fellowship which held the first Bible Camp over 50 years ago and continues to this day at the Lahti Retreat Center.
In her time at Zion Lutheran leading Bible studies and as a social worker she made countless close friends. Marilyn and her dear friend Kathy Ptaszek were part of a close-knit group who called themselves ‘The Girlfriends.’
In free time – she loved crossword puzzles, reading, and watching Jeopardy. She grew to enjoy sports though her children. If her children or grandchildren were involved – she wanted to be there. More concerned about their emotional health if the game was a loss.
Marilyn will forever be remembered for her faith and unconditional love of her family, demonstrating that love through a life of service. She showed up as the same person, day after day, living her faith and values. She provided her children an example to rely upon in building their lives. Preceding her in death were her Parents; husband David, and brother, John Mickelson.
Surviving are her sons Paul Mickelsen and Steven Mickelsen (Alison); daughter Jane Christine Woryn; grandchildren, Austin Woryn, Connor Woryn, Alyssa Woryn, Brady Mickelsen, and Finley Mickelsen. Sister, Joan Dwyer (Robert). Sister in-laws Debbie Mickelson, Joyce Tibbs, Norma Nominelli, and Fayth Wolfe. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
A Visitation for Marilyn will be held from 4:00pm to 6:00 pm at The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel on Thursday, October,29, 2026, and Celebration of Life at Zion Lutheran Church at 11:00 am on Friday, October 30, 2026, with Pastor Jesse Aho officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Burial will take place at the Lakeside Cemetery. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorials in Marilyn’s memory be given to either Zion Lutheran Church or Lutheran Bible Fellowship.
Arrangements are being handled by The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel. To view Marilyn’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net
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