Ronald K. 'Mick' Michaelson

WEST BEND, Wis. — Ronald K. “Mick” Michaelson of Ironwood, Mich., passed away on Sept. 10, 2013. He was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The Lord relieved him of this cancer as he rested comfortably at his daughter’s home in West Bend. He was 83 years old.

Ron was born on Aug. 30, 1930, in Ironwood, to the late Leonard and Linnea (Johnson) Michaelson. He graduated from Ironwood High School, serving as class president. He earned an associate degree in engineering, and played football at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood. Ron also continued to study engineering at Marquette University in Milwaukee for a year and a half.

Ron served as an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was awarded a Korean Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. He then returned to Milwaukee and established his career at Evinrude Motor Company, where he worked as a manager of tool engineering.

In 1955, “Mick” married Sylvia Estola. They raised a family in the Milwaukee/West Bend area. They lived in Wisconsin for more than 50 years, and then returned “home” to Norrie Location in Ironwood. Sylvia preceded him in death on Aug. 28, 2005.

Ron was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood and remained dedicated to serving others as a volunteer driver for the Veteran’s Association. He diligently served the community as a member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5.

Survivors include five children, Ronald Jr. (Sarah “Sally”), Cascade, Wis., Jeffrey (Susan), West Bend, Gerald (Kathleen),  Sussex, Wis., James, Crystal Lake, Ill., and Jodi (Jeffrey) Logan, West Bend; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, Leonard, Ironwood; two aunts, Lorraine DeMarte, Duluth, Minn., and Delia Johnson, Onalaska (formerly Hurley), Wis .; a sister-in-law, Priscilla Estola, Ironwood; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

Per Ron’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Friday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating.

Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

To view Ron’s obituary online, sign his guestbook or express condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.