Alice L. Mikkelson

Alice L. Mikkelson, 96, of Buck Creek Valley died Wednesday March 17, 2010. Alice Leona Mikkelson, 96, died Wednesday, March 17th, 2010, at Sannes Skogdalen Nursing Home in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, where she was a resident for 2 years. She was born on October 25, 1913 in Buck Creek Valley, Freeman Township, Crawford County, rural Ferryville, Wisconsin, to Ingebrigt and Anna (Everson) Stovey. On November 11, 1931, she married Alfred Mikkelson before an altar crafted by her Uncle Carl Everson, on the Everson farm in Buck Creek. This marriage lasted just short of 74 years ending with Alfreds death in July 2005. She attended the Buck Creek School, Ferryville Grade School, and the Buck Creek Norwegian School. She loved school and continued to learn throughout her live. Alice spent the greater part of her life in the rural Ferryville area. Early in their marriage she and Alfred farmed near Liberty Pole. South Buck Creek Ridge, and Soldiers Grove. They later bought their farm in Buck Creek where they had a dairy farm and raised tobacco. She worked in the fields alongside her husband. She was a gracious hostess. No one left her home hungry. Her grandchildren remember the ice cream buckets full of donuts or chocolate chip cookies. The coffeepot was always in the ready. Even though her goodies were the best she wouldnt think they were good enough for company. She was a lifelong member of Utica Lutheran Church, The Buck Creek Circle (Miriam/Esther Circle), and Uticas WELCA. She made quilts for the Lutheran World Relief until her move to the nursing home. She was a member of the Never Grow Old Club in Ferryville for many years. Her Norwegian heritage was important to her. She held membership in the Nordfjordlag in Wisconsin. She had roots Valdres, Hallingdal, and Land in Norway. She enjoyed doing embroidery work and kept many people supplied with fancy dishtowels and pillowcases until her eyesight failed. Having lost her mother to the flu epidemic in 1918, she was raised mostly by her maternal grandparents, Ole and Anne (Anderson) Everson. From her father, grandparents, uncles, and aunts she learned to be a very generous, hardworking lady. If there were a need she would fulfill that need for family and friends. She is survived by her daughter in law Nancy Mikkelson of Ferryville, and daughter Vivian (Ralph) Schweinfurth, Ferryville, Wisconsin. Grandchildren: Douglas (Rose) Mikkelson, Ferryville; Cathy (Michael) Fischer, La Crosse, Wi.; Russel (Kathy) Mikkelson, Hilliard, Ohio; Curtis (Sara) Mikkelson, Northfield, MN; Wade Schweinfurth, Blair, NE; Brian Schweinfurth, Kalona, IA; Craig (Susan) Schweinfurth, Wellman, IA, Great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Gary) Kozelka, DeSoto, WI.; Brian (Signe) Mikkelson, Ferryville, WI.; Torek I Inderberg, LaCrosse, WI., Kiira (David) Lester, Onalaska, WI.; Megan (David) Hedges, Westerville, OH., Erik Mikkelson, Hilliard, OH.; Eli and Ella Mikkelson, Northfield, MN; Jamie (Aaron) Haack, Herman, NE.; Ambir (Luke) Leehy. Blair, NE.; Joshua Schweinfurth, Blair, NE. Julie (Ryan) Swartzendruber, Skokie, IL., Alan (April) Schweinfurth, Charles City, IA. Great Great Grandchildren: Jossie and Lila Kozelka, DeSoto, WI.; Finn and Anders Lester, Onalaska, WI.; Kaden Haack, Herman, NE.; Tyson and Payton Leehy, Blair, NE. Also many other relatives and friends including her life long friend Ethel Lerum of Ferryville, WI. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, Alfred, son Elling Mikkelson, brothers Alfred and Paul Stovey. Services will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010, at 11 AM with visitation 1 hour prior to services at Utica Lutheran Church, Highway 27, 2 miles North or Mt. Sterling, Wisconsin with Pastor Anna Sorenson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.Memorials may be directed to Utica Lutheran Church, Sannes Skogdalen Activities Fund, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com. The Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home of Gays Mills is serving the family.