Vernon Mickelson

A funeral service for Vernon Mickelson, age 99 of Spencer, will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM at First English Lutheran Church in Spencer. Interment will be at Barnes Township Cemetery in Linn Grove. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church.

Vernon was born on June 30, 1926, on a farm in Barnes Township, Buena Vista County, Iowa, to Albert and Emma (Thomas) Mickelson. He was baptized at Little Sioux Valley Church near Rembrandt, Iowa in infancy and was confirmed in 1940 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove, Iowa.

He attended elementary school for a few years at Highview Consolidated School in Barnes Township. In 1933, his parents moved to a farm in Douglas Township, Clay County, Iowa where he attended Linn Grove Consolidated School, graduating in 1943. After farming for a few years and working for Iowa State University Extension Service, he pursued his passion for aviation. He attended Spartan University of Aviation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduating with honors in 1949 as an Airline Service Airworthiness Technician.

Vernon joined the United States Air Force in August 1951, serving as a bypass aircraft maintenance specialist. His military assignments took him from San Antonio, Texas, to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, where he and his wife operated a small airport. In October 1952, he was transferred to Perrin Air Force Base near Sherman-Denison, Texas. Vernon completed his active-duty service and was honorably discharged in August 1955. During his military service, he continued to develop the aviation maintenance expertise that became the foundation of his distinguished career in aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, and federal aviation oversight.

Throughout a distinguished aviation career spanning more than four decades, Vernon held numerous positions in aircraft maintenance, inspection, management, and federal aviation oversight. He earned his Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic License in 1949 and later became a licensed aircraft mechanic, FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative, Aircraft Mechanic Examiner, Flight Standards Inspector, and Airline Maintenance Inspector. His career included service with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, the United States Air Force during the Korean War era, Cessna Aircraft Company, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Great Lakes Aviation. He received numerous honors and awards, including the Aviation Mechanic Safety Award for Nebraska, the FAA Outstanding Service Award, the Small Business Administration Service Award, FAA Letters of Appreciation, and the Platinum Leadership Award from the National SCORE organization.

Following his retirement from federal service, Vernon continued to serve others through SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), where he spent many years mentoring and advising small business owners. His commitment to helping others earned him recognition at both the state and national levels.

Over the years, he served in numerous leadership roles within Lutheran congregations in Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska, including elder, trustee, building committee member, youth leader, and usher. He was also active in the American Legion, Kiwanis, the National Rifle Association, and the Northwest Iowa Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Vernon will be remembered for his integrity, strong work ethic, dedication to aviation safety, unwavering faith, and deep love for his family. He was a caring husband and father who shared his knowledge freely, encouraged those around him, and touched countless lives through his professional accomplishments and volunteer service. He found joy in fellowship with friends and coworkers, singing hymns, and listening to music. He enjoyed riding bicycles through the Spencer fairgrounds with his grandchildren and sharing family history and memories with his family. He had a way to always make you laugh.

Vernon passed away May 28, 2026, in Spencer, Iowa at ninety-nine years of age. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Mickelson; parents, Albert and Emma Mickelson; one brother, Leslie Mickelson.

He is survived by his son, Bruce Mickelson of Des Moines, Iowa; granddaughters, Mercedes Mickelson of Marathon, Iowa and Madison Mickelson and great-grandson, Braxton Rholl of Ames.

His kindness, wisdom, and servant’s heart will be deeply missed by all who knew him.