Karen Mickelson

Mickelson, Karen Kay

January 24, 1942 - September 5, 2025

Karen Kay (Svihel) Mickelson, 83, of Stillwater, Minn., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in the early morning of September 5, 2025. An active and devoted Minnesota resident for over 60 years, Karen raised her family while supporting her community in myriad ways, including as a beloved middle school teacher for over three decades, and serving in various ways in her home congregation of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. Throughout her life, she built deep, enduring friendships and generously gave her time, energy, and care to those around her.

Born in Volga, S.D., on January 24, 1942, to Tabitha K. (Russell) and Leonard B. Svihel, Karen spent her childhood in Lake Preston, S.D. From the beginning, Karen was a loving and loyal daughter, sister, and friend, known for her lively sense of humor and mischief. Her family owned and operated the quaint but bustling movie theater in Lake Preston, where Karen spent her teenage years helping run the business alongside her three sisters.

During these years, a love for movies - as well as for the community members who came through the door each night - not only shaped Karen's appreciation of the arts, but also fostered her understanding of small-town culture and the power of taking care of your neighbors. These experiences instilled in Karen a sense of heartland hospitality that shaped her family life, career, and lifelong commitment to service.

Karen graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1960 and earned her undergraduate degree in education from South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1964, becoming a certified teacher. Early on in her time at SDSU, a lovely young fellow walked into Karen's English class and caught her eye. Calm, kind, and fun-loving, Mike was the perfect complement to Karen. A beautiful partnership struck up between the two: Karen helped Mike with his English papers, and Mike helped Karen pass calculus. It was a match made in heaven and a romance for the ages.

The two became inseparable and married on February 2, 1964. They shared a grace-filled partnership for 61 years that included raising their three loving children: Michele, Cindy, and David. Family life and Karen's role as a mother delighted her-she cherished each of her children for their uniqueness and worked to help each of them grow and learn in wonderful ways. She made sure art and music, enduring traditions, and family fun were part of each season. Holidays were especially wonderful in Karen's family.

Karen, at heart, was an educator. She loved spending time with young people-teaching piano, elementary school special ed, middle school English, and, in a career pinnacle, serving as education lead at the Minnesota History Center. Even retirement couldn't slow her down. Karen continued teaching, working with English as a Second Language (ESOL) adult students to help immigrants build their lives in a new country. It wasn't uncommon to be at the grocery store and hear someone call out, "Mrs. Mickelson!" before running over for a hug. She affected countless lives, treating every student with respect and honoring their right to an empowering education.

One of the greatest joys in her life was her role as Grandma Karen. Together, Grandma Karen and Grandpa Mike cared for and loved seven grandchildren, all of whom found their country home magical. There was no end to delicious dinners and summer backyard picnics, with grandchildren going back for seconds and thirds. Karen's prowess in the kitchen was legendary. It wasn't summer without her strawberry jam, refrigerator pickles, and rhubarb pie-always made in abundance, with enough to send home with hungry college grandkids and enough to share with hurting neighbors and food banks.

Karen's strong faith compelled her to serve in many ways at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, where she was a member for nearly 50 years. Her roles included Church Council member, youth choir director, usher, greeter, and regular volunteer at the St. Andrew's Community Resource Center. Nothing could stop her when it came to serving.

A lover of books, theater, inspiring quotes, conversation, a good belly laugh, and helping others, Karen held her friends close and her family closer. Ever the teacher, she taught others how to love by example. She always had a funny story to share, a great book to lend you, and a birthday card in the mail (early, of course). Her strong faith, great love for God and humanity, and irresistible bright light guided her rich life of service to others. She will be greatly missed.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Mike; her children, Michele Belisle (John), Cindy Von Oehsen (Stephen), and David Mickelson; her grandchildren, Ashley Belisle (Michael), Claire Ellenberger (David), Stender, Evan, and Lucas Von Oehsen, and Errol and Rosie Mickelson; and her sisters, Margaret Nelson (David) and Hallie Kline (Steve). She was preceded in death by her sister, Lenarda Andersen.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi on Thursday, September 18, with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m., followed by lunch.

Memorials preferred to St. Andrew's Community Resource Center.