JoAnn Mickelson

JoAnn Mickelson, age 94, of Bloomington, MN, formerly of Wilmot, SD, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Founders Ridge Assisted Living in Bloomington, MN.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot, SD. Visitation will be held on Monday at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pastor Kay Reeb will officiate the service.

JoAnn Elizabeth Sandquist was born on July 8, 1930, in Aberdeen, SD, to Carl W. and Henrietta C. (Fridley) Sandquist. She grew up on the family farm near Brentford, SD, and graduated from Brentford High School with the Class of 1948.

JoAnn went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree at Northern State Teacher's College in 1952, with a Composite Music major and a minor in Secretarial Science. Her love for education led her to teach high school music and commercial business courses in several communities, including Wilmot, SD, Platte, SD, Breckenridge, MN, and Groton, SD. It was during her second employment with Wilmot High School that she met her future husband, local farmer Gordon M. Mickelson.

On June 24, 1961, JoAnn and Gordon were united in marriage in Brentford, SD. To this union, they were blessed with three children. They made their home on the family farm west of Wilmot. JoAnn and their daughters continued living on the farm after Gordon’s passing in 1973. She moved to Wilmot in 2009, and to Bloomington, MN, in 2022. 

As a devoted member of the Wilmot Lutheran Church, JoAnn served as the organist and choir director until her retirement at the age of 85. She utilized her musical talents by accompanying many school and community events. JoAnn shared her love for the piano by teaching dozens of students to play, nurturing an appreciation for music in the hearts of all she encountered. As community was important to her, JoAnn was also an honored member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Wilmot.

In addition to her musical contributions, JoAnn's service extended to her role as the librarian of the Wilmot Public Library, a position she held from 1973 until her retirement in 2013. In recognition of her dedication to the Wilmot community, South Dakota Governor, Dennis Daugaard proclaimed December 30, 2013, as JoAnn Mickelson Day. JoAnn's commitment to serving her community and sharing her talents will be remembered and celebrated by all who knew her.

JoAnn is survived by her daughters: Jan (Cary) Schroeder of Brandon, SD; and Mary Kay (Greg) Schrank of Bloomington, MN; six grandchildren: Miranda (Zach) Friederich of St. Paul, MN; Kara (Nick) Orobello of Tampa, FL; Dana Schroeder of Sioux Falls, SD; Jessica Schrank of Bloomington, MN; Danielle Schrank of Minneapolis, MN; and Ryan Schrank of Bloomington, MN; and one great-granddaughter, Mara Friederich.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Gordon; son, Terry, in infancy; grandson, Gabriel Schroeder, in infancy; parents, Carl and Henrietta Sandquist; brother, Donald Sandquist; and sisters: Janice Bollinger and Marilyn Halverson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wilmot Lutheran Church in JoAnn’s memory.