Ronald Dennis Mickelson, 71

Ronald Dennis Mickelson passed from this crazy earth on June 28, 2016, after a 12-year battle with cancer.

Ron was born to Elsie and Harold Mickelson on June 8, 1945, in Plentywood, and was raised in Westby. He was a tall 6-foot-3 and loved basketball, football and choir. After graduating from high school he spent a short time in California before landing in Columbia Falls where his parents had moved in 1964. At that time, he worked for the Forest Service.

In December of 1964 he returned to Westby to work for his Uncle Kenny and began dating Bonnie Raaum. They married Sept. 3, 1965. The newlyweds moved to Minneapolis where their daughter Laura Ann was born. In the summer of 1966 the couple landed back in Columbia Falls. In September of 1968 he became the proud father of a son, Lance Vernal. Ron was then employed by Plum Creek where he worked for 30 years. In 2007 he and Bonnie moved back to their home town of Westby where Ron enjoyed working with heavy equipment for Meyer Corporation. Three years later they journeyed back to Columbia Falls where Ron worked at the Army Navy store for a while before retiring.

 Ron enjoyed camping, boating and watching high school sporting events. He attended many track meets, volleyball, basketball and football games and choir concerts to watch his five grandkids participate. He loved working in his yard and was always very fussy about how it looked. He spent many hours plowing snow in the winter — the overseer of the Mickelson 20-acre homestead. He always enjoyed trips back to Westby in his motor home; his pride and joy. Family and home were always number one for Ron.

 He is survived by his mother Elsie (94), and his wife Bonnie; his daughter, Laura Ferda, and her husband, Mike and their children, Courtney Baker and husband David, and Tyson Ferda and wife Michaela, and great-granddaughter Ruby Ann; Ron’s son, Lance, and his children, Britney Lavina and husband Jay, Nicole, and Dennis, and his great-grandchildren Mykel Hannah, Jaykob and Jayden; his brothers, Marvin and Alan; and sisters, Sharon Hader and husband Lance, Linda Hill, Pat Johnson, and Karen Cowan and husband Shawn.

 He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father Harold, and his great-granddaughter Nellie May Baker.

There will be a celebration of life at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, followed by a potluck picnic at Pinewood Park.