DuWayne "Dewey" Mickelson

DuWayne (“Dewey”) Arden Mickelson of Prior Lake, Minnesota passed away on August 1, 2025. He was born on July 27, 1940, in Viroqua Wisconsin to Arved and Edna (Overgard) Mickelson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM with Time of Gathering from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM on Friday, August 15, 2025 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake MN. Pastor Mollie Hamre will Preside. Guests are invited to the VFW Post 6208 after the service for food and fellowship,16306 Main Avenue SE, Prior Lake MN.

Dewey lived in Westby, Wisconsin and graduated from Westby High School in 1958. He then attended Luther College in Decorah Iowa and graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor Degree in Sociology. After graduating, Dewey worked for one year in International Falls, Minnesota as a social worker before being drafted into the Army in 1962 where he served as a member of the Medical Corp for two years. After leaving the Army, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a Master's Degree in Social Work in 1967. This is where the love of the Wisconsin Badgers began.

The family moved to Whitehall, Wisconsin in 1967 and he began work as a social worker for Trempealeau County Social Services. Dewey was hard working and dedicated. He had a big heart and cared greatly for the clients under his care. His dedication led him to be appointed as director of social services for Trempealeau County just two years later in 1969. He worked there until 1993 when he began working as Director of Social Services for Clark County and moved with his family in 1993 to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He retired from social work in 1996 to spend more time with his family and enjoy his hobbies. In 2019, Dewey and Patricia moved to Burnsville, Minnesota to be closer to family.

Dewey was an avid Wisconsin Badgers fan and could always be seen wearing red while cheering on the Badgers or any other day. He loved going to Wisconsin Football games and even went to the Rose Bowl in 2011 to see his beloved Badgers play. His other hobbies were fishing, golfing, bowling, collecting antiques, and hanging out with friends and family. He was super friendly and loved talking to anyone. He lived well, laughed often, and enjoyed his life.

Dewey married Patricia (Melby) on October 11, 1964 and was a devoted husband for 60 years. They had three children, Craig Mickelson, Kala (Mickelson) Heger, and Daren Mickelson, and two granddaughters Sydney Heger and Kate Heger. He was a loving husband, father, and grandpa.

Dewey is survived by his wife Patricia Mickelson, sons Craig Mickelson and Daren Mickelson, daughter Kala Heger, son-in-law Doug Heger, granddaughters Sydney Heger and Kate Heger. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arved and Edna Mickelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed by the family to the Alzheimer’s Association in support of research in honor of Dewey.