Raymond Mickelson
March 21, 1939 ~ February 7, 2022
Ray's service will be livestreamed on the link below at 2:00 PM Friday, February 11, 2022.
https://boxcast.tv/view/raymond-mickelson-service-ebtiucienworago3wfvb
Raymond (Ray) Mickelson, age 82, of Fargo passed away February 7, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center with his wife and daughters at his bedside.
Ray was born March 21, 1939 to Henry and Anna (Koski) Mickelson in Perth, ND. He graduated from high school in Rolla, ND. He attended North Dakota State University and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture with an area of concentration in Economics, Soils, and Farm Management. He joined the North Dakota National Guard and received his training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Fort Riley, KS. He spent 5 years assigned to the Cando, ND unit and 1 year in the Army Reserves. Ray’s financial career started with Production Credit Association (PCA) in 1965 as a Loan Officer in Grafton, ND and next as the Branch Manager in Cando, ND. He was united in marriage to Joanne Eggl in Cando on May 11, 1968, and they were later blessed with 2 daughters, Margo and Roxy. In 1973, they moved to Grafton, ND where he became Credit Manager and subsequently held several other positions including Vice President-Credit and VP Operations. In 1983, Ray became CEO of the PCA of Grafton. Following a company merger, Ray continued in a management role for 3 branch offices for Farm Credit Services of Grand Forks. After that he became a financial contractor for Farm Credit Services of Fargo. In 1987, he moved to LaMoure, ND as the Branch Manager for the LaMoure and Lisbon offices of AgCountry.
Ray and Joanne moved to Fargo in 1998. After retirement, they enjoyed spending their winters in Mesa, AZ. They welcomed 2 granddaughters in 2008 (Grace) and 2013 (Lucy), and “Grandpa Ray” loved spending time with them. Ray was active in the community and over the years was involved with several organizations including the Lions Club and the Jaycees. He was an Honorary FFA Chapter Farmer. Ray loved to golf and ride his bike until his health problems started slowing him down. He had a keen interest in the stock market and always cheered on the NDSU Bison. He was a member at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo. Ray will be remembered as a kind and generous man who was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.
He is survived by his wife Joanne of Fargo; daughters Margo Mickelson (Bob Baker) of Maple Grove, MN and Roxy (Kent) Exner of Waconia, MN; 2 beloved granddaughters Grace and Lucy Exner; brothers Arthur (Ethel) Mickelson of Edgewood, WA and Larry (Lavonn) Mickelson of Perth, ND; sisters-in-law Carol (Harvey) Wood of Cando, ND, Marcia Bracken of Devils Lake, ND, Lisa Sivertson of Fargo, ND, Barb (Larry) Schmaltz of Parker, CO; brother-in-law Doug (Kay) Eggl of Albion, IN.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brother Paul (Helen) Mickelson; sisters Bernice (Edwin) Sormula, Melma (Orlo) Larson, and Hazel (Roy) Yliniemi, and 3 siblings who died in infancy; father-in-law and mother-in-law George and Celestine Eggl; sister-in-law Shirley McKinnon; brother-in-law Roger Bracken.
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I had the pleasure of working with Ray for a number of years. What a great guy. His smile and ability to view life as being a glass half full is something that will stay with me. He will be missed. Rest in peace Ray.
You are in our thoughts and prayers Leroy and Leora
Joanne: Sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed running into you and Ray.
The news of Ray’s passing saddens us deeply. I have so many fond memories, living in Grafton, spending time with Ray, especially on the golf course. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joanne, Margo, and Roxy.
My sympathy to all the family on Ray’s passing. I never worked with Ray but did meet him while I was working at FCS. Later I had the pleasure of visiting with him and getting to know him at several of our AgCounty retiree gatherings. Always enjoyable visiting with him.
Good morning Joanne, Margo amd Roxy…I just heard yesterday that Ray had passed away. You have been at his side I know during this difficult time. Being together with family is so important now and in the days to come. My sympathies to you as you say your good byes to your loved one. We always have the memories, and they will bring laughter and tears but are so special
I had the opportunity to get to know Ray while working with him at AgCountry. Ray had a very kind and genuine care for everyone. He loved to visit with customers and teammates. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I met Ray and Joanne at his great nephew Brennan‘s wedding in Missoula Montana this past October.
His nephew, Todd Mickelson, arranged a surprise reunion for Ray and his brother Art Mickelson. It was wonderful seeing these two brothers together reminiscing about the good all days and just having three days of fun.
Barb and Greg Vesey and Cameron, too!
Mary and I were saddened to read about Ray in the Forum. We weren’t sure where you lived. Our sympathy to Joanne and the girls.
Uncle Ray was a fun-loving, gentle and engaging man. I have very fond memories of him as a kid and as an adult. He was always willing to share a joke, a story, play a practical joke on you or just listen. Although I was not able to be around him as much as I would have liked, living in Seattle, when we did have the time to visit with him and our father (his brother Art) it was bound to be a fun time. Art and Ray were always up to something. They were partners in crime (that is if making people laugh was a crime). The “Mickelson humor” is legendary. We were all blessed to have Ray in our lives and he will be missed. Rest in peace Uncle Ray.
Dear Joanne, Margo and Roxy, my deepest sympathies go out to you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ray was our Branch Manager in Lisbon and I always enjoyed working with him. He was so kind and he took things in stride. He was always a joy to have around and he brought smiles to many. When I would run into Ray in Fargo after he retired, we could pick up our conversation right where we left off from the last visit. I am thinking of your family during this sad time.
We are so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Your family has our sympathy and Prayers.
Ray, Joanne, Margo and Roxy were our next door neighbors in Grafton for many years. We shared many happy times celebrating special occasions and even daily life activities. We also shared some sad times. There were no better next door neighbors anywhere. Ray and Joanne were always so kind, and raised their daughters to be the same. I am very sad that the world has lost this great ma
n, Ray. My love and caring go out to all of them.
Looks like the weather is going to keep me from making the service. I worked many years with Sugar Ray. He was smart, fun, honest, hard working, considerate…just an all-around great guy. Fun to be around. He will be missed.
My mother thought so highly of Ray when they worked at the Memorial Building in Cando. JoAnn lived at the south end of our block. My late husband and I enjoyed seeing them in Mesa. God give you strength.
We so appreciated the service online. The music, eulogy and message were spot on. We didn’t see each other often, but always enjoyed time we did spend with him.
A beautiful tribute to Uncle Ray. He led a wonderful life and was blessed with such a loving family. He was always one of my favorite uncles. There was never a dull moment with Uncle Ray around! We will miss him dearly, but will definitely celebrate the many memories that he has left behind.
Great guy.Great relatives.Fun times. Deb,Del,Hod
Sad to hear of Rays passing.
He always has a smile on his face that lit up a room. Ray also had a real zest for life.
He will be missed.
Ray was always a great uncle and I enjoyed our many visits and chats when we would visit ND growing up and when he and Joanne would stop by CO on their drive back from AZ every year. He was always very supportive and fun to talk football with. GO BISON! You will be missed Uncle Ray
I only knew Ray for a brief moment, but I enjoyed the moments we spent. Ray had a spark about him that made you feel connected from the first time you met him. I will forever appreciate that.
Regrettably the weather and closed interstate kept me from attending Ray’s funeral, but I have many fond memories of the many years working with Ray at FCS of Fargo. He was a good man who I thought of as a friend. We shared some tough times, but I will remember the good times and joys we shared, especially his dry, quiet humor and the twinkle & wink of his eye! God bless his memory and ease the pain of your loss.
Mr Ray. Rest In Peace my friend. I enjoyed very much our time together in Lisbon. Always made me smile and sincerely enjoyed people and what he could do for them.
Cousin Raymond, true blue descendant of early Finnish farmers will be missed. I must look at his passage as a transition from life on earth to the place Jesus Christ said he would prepare for us. We will one day, God willing, all meet on that side of the river.
To: The Family of Ray Mickelson,
I was saddened to learn of Ray’s death (through reading of the Feb 16 LaMoure Chronicle). He was a Co-op House brother, a couple years older than me. I remember what a great ping pong player Ray was in college- Nobody could beat him. I am married to Larry Exner’s cousin, Jane Exner, who grew up in LaMoure. I grew up on a farm near Verona; thus, I am quite familiar with his long career with Farm Credit Services (formerly PCA). Please accept my condolences about Ray’s death. He was great guy!
Fowler Charles (Chuck) Humphrey
Pocatello, Idaho
humpflow@isu.edu
(208) 241-7499