Duane K. Mickelson

Duane Keith Mickelson 62 stepped from this life to life eternal on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. He was born on December 26, 1952 to Morris and Lorraine Aune Mickelson. Graduating from Hawley High School in 1970 and Concordia College Moorhead in 1974, Duane lived his whole life in and around Hawley, Minn. He met Karla, the love of his life, while at Concordia and the two of them were married on June 25, 1988 at St. James Lutheran Church in Crystal, Minn.

Duane was first and foremost an artist and sculptor; teacher and musician; husband, son, brother and uncle. He earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Dakota in 1982 and taught sculpture, 2-D and 3-D foundations, drawing and elementary art education courses at Concordia College Moorhead during his 35 years. He also served for a time as department chair and director of the Cyrus M. Running Gallery. His artistic creations are in both private and public collections across the globe. Locally, his work may be viewed in the collections of The Rourke Museum, The Plains Art Museum, Concordia College and the Fergus Falls Community and Technical College. Throughout the years Duane received numerous awards and recognition for his sculptures and teaching including the Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Teaching Award from Concordia College.

Duane belonged to the International Sculpture Center, Society of Minnesota Sculptors, and several local arts organizations. As a founding member of the Hartford Street Brass and the Prairie Wind Brass, Duane and his brother, Dwight could often be heard performing classical, jazz and Dixieland music throughout the area.

Duane and Karla loved to travel especially to New York City, Iceland, Norway and Europe. Duane enjoyed fishing and all sorts of outdoor activities. He and his wife were strong supporters of the arts. A man of faith, creativity and integrity, Duane used the gifts God gave him to help us see the world in its beauty and complexity.

Preceded in death by his father, Morris, Duane is survived by his wife, Rev. Karla Florey Mickelson; mother, Lorraine; brother, Dwight; and sister, Kari and her husband, Ron Miles; and his niece and nephew, Justice and Honor Miles.

Duane will be dearly missed by his family and friends. A service in celebration of his life and faith will be held Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton, Minn. Visitation will be Friday, November 27, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, Minn. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be given to the Concordia College Art Department, The Rourke Museum, Moorhead, Minn., or the Plains Art Museum, Fargo, N.D.