Willard "Mike" Mikelson passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 25, 2012 in the comfort of his own home in Rancho Cordova, California.

He was born September 28th 1925 on the family farm to Nora & Bill Mikelson of Patzau, Wisconsin. Mike was one of three boys with older brother Stanley and twin brother Bill.

Mike attended school thru 10th grade in Patzau and then attended Central High in Superior WI. After graduating in 1943 he entered the U.S. Army. He served with 101 Signal Battalion in the Pacific theatre of operation in Saipan Okinawa and Korea. Honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to Patzau where he married the love of his life, Betty Nelson on November 15th 1947.

Mike joined the Superior Police Department in 1950 and served for nine years before moving to California. Mike worked as a security officer for Aero Jet General Corp before going to work for the State of California as a warehouse operations Supervisor. He retired from the state in 1988.

They had three children, Kathleen Sharaf of Superior, WI, Bill (Jo Ann) Mikelson of Washington, UT and Janis (Lee) Latona of Rancho Cordova, CA. In 1995, he lost his beloved wife, best friend and life partner Betty to cancer.

Mike is survived by his son, Bill, daughters Kathleen and Janis, five grandchildren, two great grandsons, numerous nieces, nephews, other close family members and friends who were also near and dear to him.

Masonic Services will be held at the Downs Funeral Home located at 1617 N. 19th St in Superior on Friday May 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be open to all at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion post #435. Please join the family for a lunch immediately following with details to be announced.