Funeral Services For Audrey Mickelson

Audrey M. Mickelson, 88, formerly of Elgin, NE, passed away Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Neligh, NE. 

Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the Park Congregational-UCC Church west of Elgin, NE, with Rev. Janet Davis officiating. Interment will follow in the Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Huffman-Levander Funeral Home in Elgin, NE. 

Audrey Mae Mickelson, daughter of Lawrence and Lillian (Ernst) Worden, was born April 4, 1927 on the family farm near Clearwater, NE. She was born the eldest of three girls and graduated the eighth grade from a rural school west of Elgin, NE. 
On April 5, 1948, Audrey married the love of her life, Donald Mickelson at Ft. Collins, CO. They began their married life on a ranch northwest of Bartlett, NE, through the blizzard of 1948-49. They lived most of their married life on several farms around the Ericson, Bartlett, Ewing and Elgin areas, with a few years lived near Creighton, NE. They retired from farming due to health reasons and moved to a home in Elgin, in the fall of 1978. 

Audrey was a wonderful cook, always trying new recipes. She liked sewing, embroidery and in later years, talking to her family on the phone. Reading was a favorite pastime until she couldn’t see, and then liked listening to books on tape. She enjoyed time spent camping with Sharon and Marlin, and loved being near the water. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was a strong lady and it especially showed in the love, care and attention for her son Dale at the end of his life. 

She is survived by her children: Carolyn Ragland of Neligh; Sharon (Marlin) Matson of Elgin; Jolene (Mike) Retzlaff of Yankton, SD; Linda King of Neligh; 14 grandchildren: Tracy Robledo of Gretna; Trisha (Brian) Sams of Utica; Kurt (Jina) Ragland of Lincoln; Jackie (Nate) Alsman of Omaha; Marsha Matson of Norfolk; Rodney (Stephany) Matson of Norfolk; Eric (Kristy) Matson of Smithville, MO; Jodi Retzlaff of Sioux Falls, SD; Justin Retzlaff (Janelle) of Harrisburg, SD; Melissa King of Neligh; Aaron King (Sara) of Neligh; Marcella Mickelson of Neligh; Donnie Mickelson of Battle Creek; Danny Mickelson of Neligh; 24 great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends. 

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: JoAnn Mickelson and Donna Worden at nine months; husband Donald; son Dale Mickelson; and great-granddaughter McKenna Ragland.