Allan Dale Mickelson

MADISON - Allan Dale Mickelson passed away on April 9, 2026, in Madison, Wis., at the age of 80. He was born on March 14, 1946, in Madison, Wis., to Signe Punswick Mickelson and Donald Mickelson of rural Mount Horeb, Wis. He grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont Township where he rode his bike to the one-room Bohn School through 6th grade. When he went to Mount Horeb for 7th grade, he left a class of four students and joined a class of 100 students. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1964. He continued his education at Madison College. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves and trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Fort Knox, Ky. His 826th Ordinance Unit was activated in 1968 and sent to serve at Long Bin, Vietnam, where they operated an ammunition storage facility.

After his return from Vietnam, Allan began his career with Madison Gas & Electric (MG&E) as an electric lineman. He did that work for 20 years before he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was instrumental in developing the first training program for electric linemen at MG&E, where he retired as Supervisor, Electric Operations, after 41 years. He represented MG&E at Moraine Park Technical College in Beaver Dam, Wis., as an Instructor for their Electric Lineman Training Program. He also served on the Advisory Boards at Moraine Park and Blackhawk Technical Colleges.

Allan had a deep love of family. Some of his ancestors came to rural Dane County from the Lofoten Islands of northern Norway and others emigrated from Valdres, Norway, Germany, and England. He enjoyed traveling north of the Arctic Circle to meet descendants from his Norwegian relatives and enjoyed entertaining a number of these families in Wisconsin.

Allan earned his private pilot's license when he was 16, as a member of the Mount Horeb Flying Club. He later earned his commercial pilot's license.

Allan met Michele Burr of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, and they were married there on June 1, 1974. They were later happy to welcome their son, Mark, into the family.

Allan was a member of Door Creek Church where he served on the leadership team planning programs for seniors. He was a Deacon at the former Buckeye Church. His many community activities included managing a youth hockey team with the Madison Patriots while Mark was playing. He also enjoyed being in the woods with Mark for turkey and deer hunting and planting wildflowers. He loved to follow the seasons on Lake Monona while boating and fishing there.

In retirement Allan learned to play the concertina (like an accordion with buttons). He loved playing happy, oompah music with his friends in Arizona and the Midwest. He was a Trustee of the World Concertina Congress (WCC).

Allan and Michele loved traveling throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Central America, seeing where their ancestors had come from and meeting relatives in other countries. They also enjoyed winters spent in Mesa, Ariz.

Allan is survived by his wife, Michele Burr Mickelson, with whom he shared 52 happy years; and their son, Mark of Stoughton, Wis.; and sister-in-law, Stephanie Burr (John) Wagor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nieces and nephews and many loving cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Bonnie Mickelson Williams.

Allan will be remembered as a warm, generous community member, loving husband, and great dad. His life touched many and was a blessing for which we are thankful.

Services will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURH, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with the Rev. Cal Steiner presiding. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and the memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Fellowship and lunch to follow. Burial will take place at 2:15 p.m. at VERMONT LUTHERAN CHURCH CEMETERY, 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, Wis., where Allan's great-great-great-grandparents, who emigrated from Norway, are buried.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Allan's name to the Grateful & Faithful Fund, Door Creek Church, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, WI 53718.

“All the way my savior leads me…”

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420