Joseph Mikkelsen

Joseph Mikkelsen, 91, passed away Wednesday, August 20, 1997, at his home in Britt.

Joseph, the son of Johannes and Anna Marie (Sorensen) Mikkelsen, was born May 29, 1906, in Coulter, Iowa.  In 1914, he moved with his family to the Upper Flat area north of Britt and attended rural school.   On December 18, 1934, he was united in marriage with Mildred Lonning at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  They established their home on the original Mikkelsen farm.  In 1943, they moved to their own farm where they lived until 1997.  Joseph retired from active farming at age 73.

Joseph was a baptized and confirmed member of the Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church.  He served his Lord in many capacities, including church board, Sunday School teacher and choir.  He was active in community affairs, including rural school board, the Britt Cooperative Elevator Board, Farm Bureau, 4-H Leader, Crystal Heights Housing Board and senior citizens.  Joseph liked to hunt and fish and was an avid conservationist.  His life was centered around his faith in God, serving his church, and his family, taking special pleasure in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Mildred of Britt; two sons: Philip and his wife, Christine of McLeod, Montana; Dan and his wife, Christine of Dover, Delaware; a daughter, Mona Furnberg and her husband, Carlton of Livermore, California; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Martha Martin and her husband, Oliver of San Francisco, California; Lorena Dawson of Mobile, Alabama and sister-in-law Lorene Mikkelsen of Coral Gables, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Soren in infancy, Jens, Chris and Silas; two sisters: Christena Hanson and Hannah Nielsen; and a son, John in March 1997.