MICKELSEN, Doreen Mary
April 23, 1933 – April 9, 2025
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mom, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Doreen Mickelsen of Athabasca at the age of 91 years.
Doreen was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1933 and moved around Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario a lot, as her father worked for CNR. When she was a young girl, her hobbies included piano, biking, swimming, skating, bowling and curling. She was also a girl guide in her early years. After her graduation, the family got transferred to Edmonton. She worked for several schools, doing office duties and CN Telecommunications.
In November of 1951, she met her future husband Jim, on an arranged double blind date at a dance in St. Albert. They were married July 17, 1954 and were married for 62.5 years. They lived in Edmonton until 1969, and then moved to an acreage in Cardiff, Alberta. This is where they started their mixed hobby farm. In 1975, some farmland was for sale near Baptiste Lake and they made the purchase, and moved again. The mixed hobby farm got bigger.
In her spare time, Doreen was active in the United Church. She acted as secretary on several church boards, taught Sunday school, filled in as the church pianist, several choirs and with the handbell group. She was also a member of the local Royal Purple until it disbanded. She participated in multiple bake sales and church dinners.
Doreen loved to travel. They managed to go on three European Tours and spent winters in Victoria, BC. They toured Canada from coast to coast, plus Alaska and Hawaii.
Doreen loved her flowers, gardening, baking and cooking. Doreen loved having the whole family together for special occasions. The house would be jam-packed with family, and the food was always delicious /plentiful. Her roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, was one of her many specialties. Of course, there was always room for some of her delicious homemade cookies, cakes, pies and squares.
Doreen loved music. It didn’t matter if she was dancing, playing or singing, music was very important to her. Doreen was a kind-hearted, caring, compassionate, generous soul that was always happy and smiling. Not a day goes by, when you are not loved and missed. You are held in our hearts and memories forever. The song has ended but, the melody lingers on.
Doreen is survived by 3 sons and 2 daughters: Chris (Pauline), Marianne (Roy) Andresen, Peter (Arlene), Heather (Ken) Struski and Carl. Also, her 14 grandchildren and spouses/partners: Nick (Melissa), Allan (Hayley), Samantha (Austin), Thomas, Andrew (Jen), Sarah (Ellis), Trina (Adam), Eric (Sarah), Kristen, Daniel (Jody), Larissa (Tyler), Paul (Liane), Ben (Sarah), Jacob (Taylor) and her 10 great-grandchildren: Astrid, Aksel, Soren, Alma, June, Chloe, Talon, Claire, Jamie and William.
Doreen was predeceased by her loving husband Jim in 2016, her parents Sydney and Marguerite Harper and her brother Ron Harper.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Athabasca Auxiliary Hospital for their compassionate loving care and support over the years.
A celebration of Doreen’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 11 am at the Athabasca United Church. Memorial donations may be made in Doreen’s memory to the Athabasca Healthcare Auxiliary Association or to a charity of one’s choice in Doreen’s memory.
