LYNDON, Kan. – Richard Raymond Mickelson, of rural Lyndon, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at Vintage Park Assisted Living, Osage City, Kan. He was 95. He was born July 17, 1929, the eldest of three children born to Raymond and Halcyon (Davis) Mickelson.
He grew up on the family farm south of Lyndon. He worked throughout his youth on the farm and graduated from Lyndon High School in 1947.
He married Janis Peters, Feb. 24, 1952, in Lyndon, and they shared almost 71 years together until she passed away Feb. 10, 2023.
Richard and Janis ran a successful row crop and livestock business for more than 70 years at the family farm south of Lyndon. Through the years, in addition to farming and ranching, he drove a school bus for the Lyndon school system, hauled construction material for Kenny Schmitendorf, in Lyndon, and later worked for the Osage County Road and Bridge Department. He was an Asgrow Seed dealer for a number of years.
He and Janis were longtime members of the Kansas Livestock Association and the Kansas Hereford Association.
Richard enjoyed studying local history and served a number of years on the Osage County Historical Society board of directors. He served several terms on the Olivet Township board. He enjoyed meeting and reminiscing with his coffee group in Lyndon before moving to Vintage Park in 2022.
He and Janis enjoyed square dancing, card playing and traveling. Bank and extension office-sponsored bus tours were their favorites, taking them to several states and Canada through the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother-in-law, Charles Beatty.
Survivors include three children, Lucinda (Doug) Anstaett, Topeka, Kan., Neil (Kathy) Mickelson,
Lyndon, and Marilyn (Roger) Gordon, Dover, Kan.; six grandchildren, Beth (Russ) Iversen, Lawrence, Kan., Rett (Gloria) Mickelson, Heartland, Texas, Dusty (April) Mickelson, Warr Acres, Okla., Ashley (Matt) All, Lawrence, Kan., Chris (Erica) Mickelson, Lyndon, and Eric (Brielle) Gordon, Maple Hill, Kan.; and 14 great-grandchildren, Olivia and Sebastian Iversen, Dmitri, Feliks and Milo Mickelson, Henry and Quinn Mickelson, Helena, Thomas, Penelope, Silvia and Georgia All, and Mae and Marti Mickelson; a sister, Viola Beatty of Lyndon, and a brother, Eldon (Virginia) Mickelson, of Longmont, Colo.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation is set from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon. Honoring his request, there will be no service. A private family gathering will take place at Lyndon Cemetery.
The family would like to thank his caregivers and friends at Vintage Park of Osage City and Phoenix Hospice Care.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Osage County Historical Society or the Lyndon Public Library, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
