Ernest V. Mikkelson

Ernest “Ernie” Mikkelson, 89, of Lake Park, MN, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023, at the VA Medical Center in Fargo, ND. Ernie was born May 18, 1934, on the family farm near Lake Park, the 6^th of 9 children, to Martin and Bessie (Anderson) Mikkelson. He attended country school in his early years and graduated from Lake Park High School in 1952. Ernie then served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Korea and returned home in 1955. On August 18, 1957, he married Janice Johnson at Lake Park Lutheran Church. Together they made their home in Lake Park and started a family. Ernie drove truck for a few years and then worked as an electrician for many years before retiring after working for the City of Lake Park. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, a volunteer fireman for the city of Lake Park and a lifelong member of Lake Park Lutheran Church. He will be remembered for his personality, wit, sense of humor, his “Ernie Logic” and that he sometimes thought rules weren’t meant for him.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Janice, of 66 years; children: Steve (Becky) Mikkelson, Sherri (Daniel) Hunt, Naomi (Scott) Berntson, and Scott (Karen) Mikkelson; 11 grandchildren: Jeremy, Matthew, Christopher, Angela, Andrea, Casey, Josiah, Marah, Dinah, Isaiah, Keturah; 18 great-grandchildren: Claire, Wyatt, Bailey, Eli, Ethan, Audra, Oliver, Lillian, Addison, Mason, Marrin, Clara, Orrin, Royce, Tobias, Asher, Macie and Gracelyn; brother Richard Mikkelson; sister-in-law Pam Cossette; brothers-in-law Meryl Johnson and Bryce Johnson; an honorary grandchild Laura Kay and many, many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his siblings: Alvina, Velma, Marcy, Arlene, Vern, Mervin and Faye.

Visitation will be held at Lake Park Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN on Friday, September 8, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, September 9, at 11:00 a.m., at Lake Park Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN.

Memorials will be given to the Lake Park American Legion, Lake Park Fire Department and Lake Park Lutheran Church.