Jerrold Henry Mickelson, 82, of Clarks Grove, passed away peacefully March 18, 2006, in the arms of his loving wife of 61 years at their winter home in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He was born in Albert Lea on March 1, 1924, to Rebecca and Henry Mickelson and lived there most of his life. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in June, 1943 and was in the army from June, 1943 until March, 1946 serving in the South Pacific and Japan. He married Avis Molyneux in Blooming Prairie on Oct. 18, 1944.

Jerry was a stationery steam engineer at Wilson and Company for 32 years, retiring in 1981 due to a disabling heart attack, and the last 16 years he had been fighting Parkinson’s Disease. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf. He was a fast pitch softball pitcher known as &8220;Lefty&8221; and was inducted into the Freeborn County Softball Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Minnesota State Hall of Fame in 1982. Jerry is survived by his wife Avis Mickelson and three daughters, Sheryl (Fritz) Paulsen of Washington; Cindy (Dale) DeRaad of Waseca; and Julie (Terry ) Burke of Washington; four granddaughters; one step grandson; three great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant daughters, and two infant grand-daughters, Sarah Jean and Melissa Sue DeRaad.

He was a volunteer fireman for 16 years, and a final farewell will be held at the Clarks Grove Fire Hall on April 26 from 3 to 6 p.m.