Rick Mickelson

Richard “Rick” Franklin Mickelson, age 65, of Elbow Lake, Minnesota, passed peacefully into eternal rest on January 11, 2026, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on November 18, 1960, in Fergus Falls, MN, the son of Franklin and Ethel Mickelson, Rick lived a life filled with passion, dedication, and an unwavering love for those he cherished.

Baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith, Rick’s foundation in his beliefs guided much of his life. A proud graduate of Ashby High School in 1979, he excelled in both basketball and baseball, demonstrating his commitment and love for the game. He furthered his education at Alexandria Technical College, earning a degree in Carpentry in 1982, which served as the cornerstone for his work ethic and craftsmanship.

On November 19, 1983, Rick married the love of his life, Debra Phillips, in a heartwarming ceremony at the West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church. Together, they built a beautiful life, which he filled with joy and love, raising his children and later in sharing cherished moments with his beloved grandchildren. Rick’s zest for life was evident in all he did, especially in his dedicated work as a hog farmer. He owned his business and later contracted his pig operation, all while cultivating deep connections with the land and the animals that were a part of his life.

A passionate athlete, Rick’s love for baseball was palpable, playing for the Ashby Town Team and the Urbank Gold Timers. Notably, he took great pride in playing at the Metrodome in Minneapolis in both 1988 and 1990, a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.

In addition to baseball, Rick cherished the outdoors, devoting much of his time to deer hunting and carefully tending to his food plots and processing his harvest. He was known far and wide for his exceptional barbecue abilities, particularly his secret sauce that made for the best pulled pork around. His feline companion, Pita, brought him joy and laughter, reminding all who knew him of his gentle spirit and love for animals.

Rick leaves behind his devoted wife, Deb Mickelson of Elbow Lake; his daughter, Alyssa (John) Rohloff of Ashby and son, Justin (Charley) Mickelson of Elbow Lake; parents, Frank (Ethel) Mickelson of Elbow Lake; brother, Vincent (Karla) Mickelson of Elbow Lake; four grandchildren, Indi, Leta, Vera and Will along with numerous nephews, cousins and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Zion-Sarpsborg Lutheran Church in Dalton, with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grant County Humane Society, 1015 US 79, Elbow Lake, MN 56531.

Funeral arrangements entrusted with the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake.