Official Obituary of
Merlin Peter Mikelson
June 30, 1934 ~ October 7, 2014 (age 80) 80 Years Old
Merlin Mikelson Obituary
Merlin P. Mikelson, 80, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, October 7, 2014, in Mondovi.
Born on June 30, 1934, Merlin was raised by his aunt Alma Mikelson on the family farm in Norwegian Valley, rural Nelson, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. After his graduation from Nelson High School in 1952, he enrolled in the Buffalo County Teachers' College in Alma, from where he received his initial teaching certification in 1954. Later, Merlin went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1964, and his Masters degree in Education Administration from Winona State University in 1972.
In the fall of 1954, Merlin began what would become a sixty year career in education when he was hired to teach in the one-room Maxville Prairie School at Maxville, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. After one year at Maxville, Merlin went on to spend three years teaching at the Soo Grove School at Riplinger, Clark County, Wisconsin, and in 1958 he moved to Merrillan, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he taught fifth grade at the elementary school there.
On August 8, 1959, Merlin married Janice Hill of Gilmanton at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Wisconsin. After their marriage, Janice joined Merlin in teaching in the Alma Center-Merrillan-Humbird School District, Merlin teaching at Merrillan, and Janice at the school in Humbird. Although Merlin and Janice's time at Merrillan was a brief two years, they made many lifelong friends there who they continued to keep in touch with over the years.
In 1961, Merlin and Janice returned to their Buffalo County roots when Merlin was hired to teach math and science at Mondovi Junior High School. Aside from his teaching duties, Merlin was also the Junior High/Middle School coordinator, and the District Audio-Visual coordinator. In later years, he was the advisor to the Academic Decathlon team. Always taking an interest in his profession, Merlin served a term as the president of the Mondovi Education Association, as well as serving as a member of the Wisconsin Educational Television Network's Area Teacher Advisory Committee and on the Teacher Advisory Committee of the Northwest Instructional Broadcast Service.
In 1994, Merlin retired from full time teaching after forty years, but continued to substitute teach in the Mondovi School District for the next twenty years. This past May, he completed sixty consecutive years of teaching, a career he thoroughly enjoyed and found very rewarding. Many of his former students kept in touch with him over the years and they, along with former co-workers, remained lasting friends.
Active at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Merlin served as Sunday School superintendent for many years and as the Vacation Bible School coordinator for several summers. He also served on the church council and on many other committees over the years.
In his retirement years, Merlin and Janice enjoyed attending Mondovi and Gilmanton sporting events. He also spent many happy hours working in his gardens tending to his pumpkins, gourds, pickles and other produce, and decorating for the holidays.
He was a member of the Wisconsin Retired Educator's Association, the National Education Association, and the Mondovi Area Historical Society.
Merlin was a member of that generation of quiet men, who went about their business with little fanfare. His life was centered around family, school, and church.
He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Don Hill.
Merlin is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Janice; daughter, Amy, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; sons, Steven, Eau Claire, and David, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Sister-in-laws, Susan (Bruce) Strangfeld and Beverly Hill, both of Eau Claire. Nieces and nephews, Kimberly (Erik) Hill Phelps, Konnie (Tom) Free, Kerri (Todd) Muche, Jim (Kari) Hill, Joe (fiancée Celia) Strangfeld, and Paul Strangfeld, other relatives, and his two cats, Millie and Priscilla.
465 W. Main St.
Mondovi, WI 54755
Mondovi, WI 54755
Born on June 30, 1934, Merlin was raised by his aunt Alma Mikelson on the family farm in Norwegian Valley, rural Nelson, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. After his graduation from Nelson High School in 1952, he enrolled in the Buffalo County Teachers' College in Alma, from where he received his initial teaching certification in 1954. Later, Merlin went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1964, and his Masters degree in Education Administration from Winona State University in 1972.
In the fall of 1954, Merlin began what would become a sixty year career in education when he was hired to teach in the one-room Maxville Prairie School at Maxville, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. After one year at Maxville, Merlin went on to spend three years teaching at the Soo Grove School at Riplinger, Clark County, Wisconsin, and in 1958 he moved to Merrillan, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he taught fifth grade at the elementary school there.
On August 8, 1959, Merlin married Janice Hill of Gilmanton at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Wisconsin. After their marriage, Janice joined Merlin in teaching in the Alma Center-Merrillan-Humbird School District, Merlin teaching at Merrillan, and Janice at the school in Humbird. Although Merlin and Janice's time at Merrillan was a brief two years, they made many lifelong friends there who they continued to keep in touch with over the years.
In 1961, Merlin and Janice returned to their Buffalo County roots when Merlin was hired to teach math and science at Mondovi Junior High School. Aside from his teaching duties, Merlin was also the Junior High/Middle School coordinator, and the District Audio-Visual coordinator. In later years, he was the advisor to the Academic Decathlon team. Always taking an interest in his profession, Merlin served a term as the president of the Mondovi Education Association, as well as serving as a member of the Wisconsin Educational Television Network's Area Teacher Advisory Committee and on the Teacher Advisory Committee of the Northwest Instructional Broadcast Service.
In 1994, Merlin retired from full time teaching after forty years, but continued to substitute teach in the Mondovi School District for the next twenty years. This past May, he completed sixty consecutive years of teaching, a career he thoroughly enjoyed and found very rewarding. Many of his former students kept in touch with him over the years and they, along with former co-workers, remained lasting friends.
Active at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Merlin served as Sunday School superintendent for many years and as the Vacation Bible School coordinator for several summers. He also served on the church council and on many other committees over the years.
In his retirement years, Merlin and Janice enjoyed attending Mondovi and Gilmanton sporting events. He also spent many happy hours working in his gardens tending to his pumpkins, gourds, pickles and other produce, and decorating for the holidays.
He was a member of the Wisconsin Retired Educator's Association, the National Education Association, and the Mondovi Area Historical Society.
Merlin was a member of that generation of quiet men, who went about their business with little fanfare. His life was centered around family, school, and church.
He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Don Hill.
Merlin is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Janice; daughter, Amy, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; sons, Steven, Eau Claire, and David, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Sister-in-laws, Susan (Bruce) Strangfeld and Beverly Hill, both of Eau Claire. Nieces and nephews, Kimberly (Erik) Hill Phelps, Konnie (Tom) Free, Kerri (Todd) Muche, Jim (Kari) Hill, Joe (fiancée Celia) Strangfeld, and Paul Strangfeld, other relatives, and his two cats, Millie and Priscilla.
Visitation
OCT 10. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT)
Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home - Mondovi465 W. Main St.
Mondovi, WI 54755
Funeral Services
OCT 11. 11:00 AM (CDT)
Central Lutheran ChurchMondovi, WI 54755
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