Gary Mickelson

Gary Dean Mickelson, 83, of Fergus Falls, passed away on September 19, 2019 at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN.

He was born in Moorhead, Minnesota on May 8, 1936, the third of three children born to HJ (Mick) and Dorothy Mickelson. Gary, along with siblings Jean and Donny, spent their childhood in Moorhead, Grand Forks, ND and eventually Elbow Lake, where he graduated in 1954.

Gary attended the University of North Dakota and Mankato State before being drafted into the Army in 1959 and served until 1960.  Gary married Janice Slotsve on July 11, 1961 and began his career in insurance with Federated Insurance in Owatonna, MN before moving to Wahpeton, ND and landing in Fergus Falls, MN.  In 1968, Gary joined the insurance agency of Allison and Company in Fergus Falls and in 1980, Gary and Dick Pribbernow purchased the agency, and it became AMP Insurance.  Gary retired from the business in 1994 after a successful career.

Gary and Janice loved to travel and after retirement split their time between Gold Canyon, AZ and Fergus Falls, MN.  Together, they enjoyed camping and traveling with family and friends, spending much of that time fishing in northern Minnesota.  His grandchildren have wonderful memories of their annual fishing trip to Lake of the Woods with Grandpa and Grandma.  Gary appreciated life to the fullest and was a natural salesman.  This served him throughout his life as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Donald Mickelson and brother in law, Gerald Larson.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janice; daughter, Tara (Jay Jensen) of Edina, their children Kelsey and Matt; son, Steve of Golden Valley and his daughter, Hannah; sister, Jean Larson of Northfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Gary’s family would like to thank the staff of the Minnesota Veterans Home for the exceptional care provided to him during the last two years.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the MN Veterans Home Recreation Fund in Fergus Fall and CurePSP.

Visitation: 5 - 7 PM Friday, October 11, 2019, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorial Service: 11 AM Saturday, October 12, 2019, at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Reverend Stan Satre

Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls

Online Guestbook: GlendeNilson.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gary Dean Mickelson, please visit our Tree Store.