Archived Services

Alice Helen Mikkelson
06-08-2020

Alice Mikkelson, 87, of Sioux Falls, SD, died Monday, June 8, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society-Canton, SD. 

Alice was born March 31, 1933 to Leonhart and Leona (Mouchet) Gramberg in Waubay, SD. She grew up on the family farm and attended Waubay public school. She obtained a teaching certificate from General Beadle College and taught country school for one year. She married James “Jim” Mikkelson, September 7, 1953 in Waubay, SD. They lived in various towns across South Dakota, settling in Sioux Falls in 1962. 

Alice remained at home raising their seven children while supporting her husband and his business, Jim and Ron’s Service Inc., as bookkeeper. In the early 1970s, she also served on the Sioux Falls Planning Commission during the development of southwestern Sioux Falls. After her husband’s retirement, she worked part-time as tax preparer for H&R Block. Alice and her family were founding members of St. Michael Catholic Church; she sang in the church choir and was active in the Altar Society.

Alice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Together with her husband and children, Alice spent many happy weekends fishing and camping. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren who discovered she was hard to beat at games like Yahtzee and Kings Corner. Alice had a great sense of humor; she loved to have fun and liked new adventures.  

Alice is lovingly remembered by her sister: Leonora Myers of Aiken, SC; seven children: Catherine (Daniel) Heinemann of Canton, SD, Linda (Robert) Gries of La Vista, NE, Jean (Gary) Hindt of Concord, CA, Nancy (Craig) Troeger of Van Buren, ME, Michael Mikkelson of Martinez, CA, Jerry Mikkelson, William (Katherine) Mikkelson of Harrison, AR; fifteen grandchildren: Ryan (Kate) Hindt, Jamie Heinemann, Brandon (Ashley) Gries, April (Ryan) Walters, John (Larissa) Heinemann, Michael (Melissa) Mikkelson Jr., A.J. Gries, Kendra Mikkelson, Kessara Mikkelson, Matthew Heinemann, Jessica Mikkelson, Jennifer Mikkelson, Mitchell Mikkelson, Joahna (Will) Benson; Jeran Mikkelson; eight great-grandchildren: Stephen Troutman, Keyan Mikkelson, Clay Hindt, Nolan Hindt, Colton Mikkelson, Dylan Benson, Sloane Heinemann, Isabel Benson; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 49 years, Jim, and infant daughter Cynthia.

Visitation will be at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home, Friday, June 12 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Michael Catholic Church, Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 AM. St. Michael Church requests that masks are worn.

Since Alice lived with Parkinson’s Disease for more than 37 years, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Parkinson Association of South Dakota (www.southdakotaparkinson.org) or the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank (www.miamibrainbank.org).