Luella "Lou" Margarite Mikelson, 92, a longtime resident of Foxboro, Wis., died Tues., Apr. 26, 2011 in Essentia St. Mary's Hospice, Duluth, Minn.

She was born Dec. 24, 1918 in Superior, Wis. to Frances (Murphy) and John Harry Bayard. She resided with her family in Billings Park and was a student at the Cooper Elementary School. At the age of twelve she moved with her family to Patzau where she attended the Patzau Elementary School. She was a 1937 graduate of Superior Central High School.

In 1939 she was united in marriage to Stanley R. Mikelson at Concordia Lutheran Church, Superior. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before his death on Dec. 26, 1996. The happiest years of her life were living in the home that they built together.

Luella worked as a cashier at the Patzau General Store before accepting the position of cook at the Patzau School, a position she held for many years.

She was a member of the former Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Patzau, the church where she was baptized and confirmed. She was also a member of the Summit Garden Club for many years. She enjoyed gardening and cooking. Some of her other interests were knitting, listening to music and most importantly spending time with her family. She dearly loved her grandchildren, "they were the light of her life".

Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, John, Kenneth, Raymond, James and Bill; and her sisters, Elizabeth and June.

Luella is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Myrna L. (Don) Stansky of Superior; grandsons, Lance (Vickie) Stansky and Mike (Lisa) Stansky and Rick (Aracely "Shelly") Stansky; step-grandchildren, Thom Stansky, Debra Marsh and Jenny Stansky; great-grandchildren, Justin, Ashley, Derek, Shane, Jason, Tyler, Tamra, Riley, Ricky Jr. Cynthia and Erica; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Tues., May 3rd from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service in Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Ave. & 19th St., with Rev. Charles Plaster of Concordia Lutheran Church officiating. Committal prayers will be at Greenwood Cemetery.

Active and honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to her caregivers from Northern Bridges and also to the staff of Essentia St. Mary's Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for the love, care and support shown Luella and her family.