Dale Mickelson

Dale Mickelson, 88 of Elbow Lake died Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home. 

Dale Thomas Olaf Mickelson was born October 26, 1936, on the family farm just outside of Elbow Lake, Minnesota to Maynard Thomas Mickelson and Selma Alvina (Waugh). Dale was the second youngest of three sisters and one brother. Dale was baptized in Ness Congregation Church, now United Lutheran Church, on December 15, 1936. 

Dale attended Elbow Lake High School and graduated in 1954. As a high school student, he participated in basketball and FFA, along with other school activities. 

Dale was called to serve his country and joined the Army on September 5, 1956. He served for two years as a Light Vehicle/Truck Driver, spending 14 months in Germany. He was honorably discharged and received the Good Conduct Medal.

Dale – or Stretch – as he was often called, returned to work on the family farm – his true love. Dale slept, ate and breathed farming. Paul Harvey’s “So God Made A Farmer” was Dale to a tee! Dale was a hard worker, if he wasn’t working his own land with his dad, he was helping out the neighbors. Even after his stroke in 1992, Dale occasionally drove tractor for Mike & Bob Flint.

Dale’s love for his community and its people showed in several committees he was involved with. He was a member of the Elbow Lake School board, member of the Weed Control Commission and was instrumental in the fundraising of the Community Memorial Hospital in Elbow Lake. He was a member of the Honor Guard of the American Legion Post 321. He was also a member of the Ness Cemetery Board along with several other organizations in the community. Dale was also the local “drug runner” as he delivered prescriptions for Trumm Drug around the area. 

Dale was one of the biggest social butterflies ever known. He loved talking to people, and watching people. He did not care who you were. He would often tease you as well as get teased. He always had a big smile on his face, especially when he drove the tractors and passenger wagons around at Flekkefest. He would wave to everyone! 

On June 2, 1990, Dale married Bonnie (Hartman) Nelson, the love of his life. Along with Bonnie came two step kids, Renee & Steve and two step grandsons, Cody and Hunter. Dale and Bonnie loved to go out dancing and did so every chance they got. When Dale first met Bonnie, he even asked Renee for her permission to date Bonnie – such a gentleman. After Dale’s stroke the dancing stopped but helping at the farm didn’t. He still mowed the yard and helped with clean-up and gardening and doing what he could. 

Dale passed away quietly at the Fergus Falls Vets Home at the age of 88, on January 2, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Doris (Arnold) Ehlers and Ruth Ann “Birdie” (Ronald) Bird, wife Bonnie, step-son Steve Nelson, brother-in-law James Bakeman, and sister-in-law Shelley Hartman.

He is survived by brother Roger (Lois) Mickelson of Duluth; Marlys (Gerald) Anderson of Alexandria; daughter Renee (Tim) Backman of Lake Preston, SD; grandsons Cody Backman of Rapid City, SD, Hunter Backman of Frederic, WI; sisters-in-law Linnea Bakeman of Elbow Lake and Lenore (Mike) Bevins of Elbow Lake. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour prior at United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake. 

Burial at Ness Cemetery

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake