Wendell Stubbs Mickelson

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(Feb. 18, 1944 - Oct. 12, 2014)

Wendell Stubbs Mickelson died Oct. 12, 2014. He was 70.

Wendell was born on Feb. 18, 1944, to Frank and Elma Mickelson, in Lovell. As a youth, Wendell excelled in wrestling, winning the state title both his junior and senior years. After his graduation from Lovell High School in 1962, Wendell attended the University of Wyoming on a wrestling scholarship.  

In 1964, he was called to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central British Mission. Upon the completion of his mission, Wendell returned to the mat for UW and graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in physical science.  

On Dec. 22, 1969, Wendell married Sandra Jean Peters in Laramie, where they met while attending school. They spent many happy years together raising their seven children, Stephen, Ross, Dane, Edith, Shannon, Shawn and Wendy.   

Wendell was a hard worker. He started his career in his hometown of Lovell as a high school science and math teacher while he helped coach the wrestling team. After two years, he returned to the University of Wyoming to earn his master’s degree in natural science. Wendell continued his career as an educator in Hulett. He again taught science and math as well as coached.  

Wendell went into the oil field industry selling oil production chemicals in 1974. In 1985, he moved the family to Cody, where he started his career as an electrician working for LeGrande Guymon.  

Wendell went to work for Northwest College in 1995 as the facility electrician. He worked for NWC until his retirement in 2006.

Wendell loved to fill his days by reading his favorite books, hunting and fishing with his sons, hiking in search of Native American artifacts, telling stories of the Little People who lived in the Big Horn Mountains, and sharing his laughter.

Wendell was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed serving others through his various church callings, especially in the Boy Scouts of America. Wendell was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1994 for his distinguished service to the program.  

Wendell and Sandra were sealed for time and all eternity on Sept. 11, 1971 in the Idaho Falls Temple.  

Wendell is survived by his wife Sandra; children, Stephen (Jeannie) Mickelson of Boise, Idaho, Ross (Jean) Mickelson of Cody, Dane (Sue) Mickelson of Cheyenne, Edith Sudyatmiko of Rapid City, S.D., Shannon (William) Watkins of Casper, Shawn (Janet) Mickelson of Seattle and Wendy (Leo) Tejada of Tampa, Fla.; 21 grandchildren; brothers, F. Dee Mickelson, Leon Mickelson, and Ted Mickelson; sisters, Barbara Austin, Julia Mitchell, and Sydney Beal.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elma Mickelson and his sister, Frankalene Mickelson.    

A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Haskell Funeral Home in Lovell. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Cody Mural Chapel. He will be laid to rest in the Lovell Cemetery.

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