Kenneth Mickelson

Kenneth Wayne Mickelson, aged 73, of Jamestown, ND passed away on August 24, 2025. Ken received a sudden and unexpected brain cancer diagnosis in early spring of 2025; he chose to spend his last summer filled with family, strength, and love.

Ken was born October 23, 1951 in Mobridge, South Dakota, one of four to Albert “Brick” and Anna Jane (Eidam) Mickelson. He spent his early days on the river bottom of the ancestral farm “Up North” gathering eggs, watering the chickens, and tending to the bottle-fed calves with his older brother, Jay, and younger sister, Barbie. The creation of the Oahe Dam sent the Mickelson family looking for their forever home all over Eastern SD and even into Minnesota. They landed on what is now known around the world as the Oak Creek Ranch, where Ken spent the next few years finding any way to get out of milking the cows, so he could usually be found on top of a horse, learning how to drive the big equipment, or creatively fixing the many mechanical problems of a farm and ranch.

He graduated from Mobridge High School in 1969, sharing his senior year with Bente Aason, one of the many foreign exchange students to call Oak Creek home. Bente was a distant relative, but quickly became another “little” sister. After graduation, he pursued Industrial Arts at Northern State University in Aberdeen, completing his student teaching in Pierre, SD where he never shied away from working with the hardest-to-reach students. Later in his life, he also added a pilot’s license and Masters of Management from the University of Mary to his educational resume.

While at Northern, he caught the eye of Barbara “Barb” Heupel one night as he jumped over parking meters in downtown Aberdeen. Later that night, he captured her heart when he asked her to dance. Ken and Barb were married on August 6, 1977. In 1979 they moved to Jamestown, ND where he began his 32-year career with Western Gear – though the company went through many name changes over the years, Ken remained dedicated to the work he loved.

Together, Ken and Barb had three children: McKenzie, Lauren, and Benjamin. Their home was always full of laughter, projects, dancing (never missing an opportunity for a jitterbug or two step), and a commitment to always leaving a place better than they found it.

Ken’s spirit of adventure shaped his life. As a young man, he saved enough for a one-way ticket to New Zealand, working and learning farm to farm, until he earned enough money and life experiences to return home. With Barb, that same adventuress spirit created life long memories for their children at the cabin on Battle Lake where he spent hours upon hours behind the wheel of the boat pulling skiers and kneeboarders, on road trips across the country to countless ice shows, swim meets, hockey games, and racetracks, and through the restoration of the beloved “Big Red House”, a 100(+) year old treasure that became the heart of the family gatherings.

Ken insisted that raising his family was the adventure of his lifetime – though his family and those that knew him well would say that his years in Alaska came in as a very close second. He and Barb accepted a two-year contract with YKHC in Bethel, AK where they experienced some of God’s most breathtaking views and hospitable people. During his time there, Ken put his “MacGyver” problem-solving skills to work in the remote villages and clinics of western Alaska and thrived on their version of the barter system.

Ken lived a life marked by hard work, curiosity, always a helping hand, and so much love. He will be remembered for his hugs that felt like coming home, his steady and guiding presence in problem solving, and his epic mustache.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barb; his children McKenzie (Jake) McCoy of Watford City, ND, Lauren (Brent) Sukut of Sidney, MT, and Ben (Darcy) Mickelson of Jamestown, ND; his 10 grandchildren: Philly, Will, and Charlie McCoy, Gradin, Avery, Foster, and Brigg Sukut, Penelope, Bert, and Macy Mickelson; his brother Jay (Bev) Mickelson of Pierre, SD; his sister Barbie (Ky) Bowen of Phillip, SD; and many nieces, nephews and friends from around the world. He was preceded in death by his parents Brick and Anna Jane, and his infant sister Kathy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ken’s memory to Thy Neighbor (providing in home hospice care), Erin’s Hope Project (providing outdoor adventures to pediatric cancer patients), or Victory Christian School of Jamestown.

VISITATION-Friday, August 29, 2025, 4-7 PM, with a Time of Sharing at 6 PM, Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown.

FUNERAL SERVICE-Saturday, August 30, 2025, 1 PM, with a visitation one hour prior, Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown

INTERMENT-Saturday, August 30, 2025, 2 PM, Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown.

The funeral service is available here- https://hautfuneralhome.livecontrol.tv/4c15dc79