Darlene Mickelsen

Ethel Darlene Peterson Mickelsen, 79, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 7, 2012, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Darlene was born June 8, 1933, in Rigby, Idaho, to Raymond C. Peterson and Mary Ellen Cleverley Peterson. She grew up on the family farm east of Rigby, milking cows, feeding pigs and chickens, and shocking grain. She attended schools in Clark and Rigby. On March 10, 1950, she married Lorin Peter Mickelsen, Jr. in Garfield, Idaho. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in May, 1951. Darlene was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. Over the years she worked as a waitress, and nurse’s assistant at Sacred Heart Hospital and Rigby Maternity Hospital. She also taught high impact and water aerobics, and was a physical therapy secretary. Darlene was a substitute teacher at Midway Junior High in Jefferson County and at Clair E. Gale Junior High in Idaho Falls. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Primary and Sunday School teacher, as a counselor in the Young Women Presidency, and in both stake and ward Relief Society presidencies. She and Pete served two full-time missions, to the Navajo Indians in New Mexico and to the Temple Visitor’s Center in Mesa, Arizona. Darlene loved to dance, sing, and was self-taught on the guitar, a talent she would share at local events and funerals. She owned a ceramic shop and did oil painting. She liked to fish and was good at it. She loved the sunshine and enjoyed many winters in Mesa, Arizona, and St. George, Utah. She loved attending the temple, visiting LDS Church historical sites, and traveling to the National Parks, such as Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Glacier. Darlene is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Pete Mickelsen of Idaho Falls, ID; Son, Lorin Peter (Jolene E.) Mickelsen, III of Lewisville, ID, Son, Steven Lawrence (Zann) Mickelsen of Middleton, ID, Son, Raymond Lee (B. Suzanne) Mickelsen of Rigby, ID, Son, Michael Dean (Suzy) Mickelsen of Rigby, ID, Son, James Bradley (Rebecca) Mickelsen of Coltman, ID, Son, David Eric (Debra) Mickelsen of Rigby, ID; Sister, Francie Lee Tanner of Idaho Falls, ID, Sister, Gladys (Donald) Tanner of Rigby, ID, Sister, Juanita (Ray) Lewis of Beaver Dam, AZ, Sister, Roberta (Rance) Young of Idaho Falls, ID; 30 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Rayelda Pfost, Bertha Heil, Florence Peterson, and three brothers, Dwain Peterson, Dale Peterson, and Dennis Peterson. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 2012, at the Idaho Falls LDS Ammon West Stake Center, 2055 Coronado, with President Fritz Schmutz officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Grant-Central Cemetery.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, November 10, 2012 Ammon West Stake Center 2055 Coronado Idaho Falls, ID 83404 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Grant-Central Cemetery.