Elaine M. (Lundgren) Mikkelson

Elaine M. Mikkelson, age 83 of Glenwood, died peacefully at home on April 28, 2019. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 6th at 11:00 a.m. at Glenwood Lutheran Church in Glenwood with Pastor Randy Chrissis officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 5th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment will be in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Elaine M. Mikkelson, the daughter of Alfred and Ruth (Oberg) Lundgren, was born July 8, 1935 in Alexandria, MN. She grew up on the family farm near the shores of Lake Louise, in Douglas County, along with her sister, Gloria, and two brothers, Ray and Vernon “Ty”. Elaine attended Lake Louise District #449 (“Old #9”) grade school and was a 1953 graduate of Alexandria Central High School.

On February 12, 1956, Elaine was united in marriage to Norman D. Mikkelson at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Following their marriage, the two moved to Glenwood, where they eventually built the home where their boys would be raised and where Elaine would live until her death. Sadly, just ten years after they married, Norman passed away.

Elaine was a caregiver and devoted mother. She had great empathy for the elderly and was always there for her children and grandchildren, giving all that she had, even during difficult times of ill health. She especially enjoyed caring for her parents in their senior years, as well as her close personal friends and the residents of the local nursing homes where she worked for over 30 years. As the local “Avon Lady”, Elaine loved helping people with their personal care needs as well as home décor ideas. She was an excellent sales lady and knew most everyone in town.

Elaine loved to listen to music and was an avid dancer. When a 50’s rock or a polka song came on the radio, she would sing and breakout her dance moves. She traveled around Minnesota with her friends going to ballrooms for polka dances.

Elaine also loved to visit and reminisce. She enjoyed visiting with her “coffee clutch” friends, be it in person or by phone, to catch up on area happenings. She also enjoyed time spent getting to know the residents at the nursing homes where she worked in the kitchen. “They have such interesting lives and history to share”, she would often say. She spoke about growing up on the farm at Lake Louise and all the fun she had with her siblings and friends. “The Lake” was a special place for her, holding memories of swimming, picnics, collecting arrowheads in the fields, and walking to “old #9“ country school. She fondly recalled a particular childhood memory involving the family dog coming to rescue the kids from the neighboring farmer’s bull that was in their path on the way home from school. She especially enjoyed the couple of times she got to travel to California to visit her brothers and their families.

Elaine attended all of her boys’and grandchildren's sporting events and band concerts. She liked to play “Horse” with them on their driveway basketball court. She also enjoyed collecting antiques and going to auctions. She often helped her son, Tracy provide lunch for the crowd at his area auctions. She also had a green thumb and enjoyed her flower gardens and household plants. She had many pets over the years, but her favorites were “Tommy”, the lovable tom cat, and “Snuffy” the beagle who would bring her baby rabbits as gifts and follow her uptown.

Elaine was a friend to many and an inspiration to all who knew her. She died at home, surrounded by family, on April 28, 2019. May her memory be blessed.

Elaine is survived by her six sons and their families, Steven and David (Bernice) of Glenwood, Gary (Karla) of Willmar, Todd (Patricia) of New London, Tracy and Cory, both of Alexandria; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, one brother, Ray (Phyllis) Lundgren of Buena Park, CA; one sister, Gloria Whittaker of Alexandria; a sister-in-law, Ethel Lundgren of Lodi, CA; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Alfred and Ruth Lundgren; her husband, Norman Mikkelson (in 1966); her brothers, Tommy (in infancy) and Vernon “Ty” Lundgren; and her brother-in-law, Wally Whittaker.

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