It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Helen Sylvia Mickelson of Middleville, MI — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
Here is what mattered, in the years between the dates.
Helen held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The traditions Helen loved will continue to hold those she loved.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to life through the gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through his servant Helen Sylvia Mickelson (nee Anderson).
Helen was given life by her creator. Born on September 9, 1928, in Cyrus, Minnesota, to parents, Hjalmer and Sophie Anderson (nee Hoium) after older siblings Sherman and Anna Marcella. On October 14, 1928, she received holy baptism, and she became a child of the loving God. Helen was confirmed and received her first Holy Communion at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Starbuck, Minnesota on May 16, 1943.
On October 16, 1948, Helen married the love of her life, Arlo Roland Mickelson. They were blessed with the gift of children, Karen Lynn and Dean Arlo. Later Patti Aicken joined them as a much-loved daughter-in-law. Karen, Dean and Patti worked tirelessly and with great love and faith to care for Helen during her decline in health.
Helen is also survived and will be deeply missed by her beloved grandchildren Yvonne Morgan (Tom), Bryan Arlo Martin (Katie), Casey Mickelson, Lucas Mickelson (Hope); great grandchildren Tyrus Morgan (Jessi), Cal Morgan, Josephine Morgan, Brooks Arlo Mickelson, Etta Mickelson, great-great grandson Arthur Roland Morgan. Helen loved
spending time with her family and participating in their activities brought a lot of joy to her.
As Helen served God, her life was blessed with many special people at home, church and the community. On May 2, 2026, God took Helen home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead and the eternal life on the new earth. Helen was blessed to be able to be a stay-at-home mom for Karen and Dean. Early in her
marriage she experienced life as a farmer's wife in Windom, Minnesota. Her days were filled with cooking large meals for all the men working together in the 'plowing bees' along with canning and baking. After moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, she was so happy to be near her best friend and sister, Marcy. Since Helen did not pursue a driver's license, her sister would pick her up every Tuesday to go to the mall to shop and enjoy lunch. For decades the two of them met so many new friends on these weekly excursions. Helen enjoyed crafting her yearly sequin calendars for decades until age 97, eventually adding seasonal banners. Helen was amazing in her physical abilities, at age 97 she was still able to cook and clean in their own condominium. Helen was proud to still be able to wash the kitchen floor on her hands and knees with no problem. At age 95, she proudly demonstrated to her grandson-in-law that she could go up and down the basement stairs without holding the handrail, which she did sometimes to "challenge herself". Her family loved to hear her recite the common table prayer in Norwegian at family dinners. Helen was truly one of the sweetest, kindest women and everyone who met her loved her.
Helen was preceded in death on April 20, 2026, by her husband Arlo Roland Mickelson. Her parents, Hjalmer and Sophie Anderson, sister, Anna Marcella Hopkins, and brother Sherman Anderson, all preceded her in death. God blessed Arlo and Helen with more than 77 years of marriage and continued to bless them with the Ultimate Gift of sharing their Celebration of Life together which will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, Michigan 49316. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served immediately after the service in the St Paul's fellowship hall.
A special thank you for the loving care provided by the staff at Carveth Village in Middleville and the compassionate care from Faith Hospice of Michigan.
The 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service for Helen and Arlo will be live streamed at www.stpaulcaledonia.org and available at St. Paul Lutheran Church and Preschool
website thereafter.
Memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of West Michigan, 2900 Wilson Ave, Suite 500, Grandville, MI 49418 or to Faith Hospice Foundation, 2100 Raybrook St. SE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Helen's family.
