Gerhard N. Mikkelson

Gerhard was born February 17, 1908 to Nels and Sophia Erickson Mikkelson. The family had a farm in rural Hawley, in Eglon Township. Gerhard attended country school through the eighth grade while helping on the farm. He continued to farm with his parents, and brother, Lars until he got married at the age of 44. On September 28, 1952 he married Burnell Haugen in Hannaford, ND at Union Lutheran Church. In 1954 they moved to Moorhead where he took a job at the Fairmont Food Creamery. He retired from the creamery in 1973. In his retirement years he kept busy while working part time at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Moorhead, and with many other projects. Gerhard enjoyed fishing, carpentry, yard work, gardening, and spending time with his family and relatives. He also liked to crochet and weave. He made several afghans for family members over the years. From 1995 to 1998 he lived in the Park View Apartments in Moorhead, and has most recently been living in the Hawley Manor. Gerhard was preceded in death by his wife, Burnell; parents, Nels and Sophie; siblings, Lauritz "Mike" Laura of Decorah, IA, Joseph Anna of Hawley, Marie Harold Shurson of Minneapolis, Esther Clarence Nixdorf of Hawley, Agnes Victor Hanson of Hawley, Lars Irene of Hawley, and Hartvig of Caro, MI.He is survived by his daughter, Leila Dennis Preston; grandchildren, Erik and Siri all of Brandon, MN; Sister Ellen Burrill of Yakima, WA; sister-in-law, Betty Mikkelson Sattelberg of Caro, MI; and many nieces and nephews.