In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Emmet County Relay For Life or North Central Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Delbert “Delly” Eldon Mickelson the son of Norman and Mildred Mickelson, was born on February 18, 1944, in Estherville, Iowa. He died on January 30, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of 80 years.
On June 5, 1965, he was united in marriage to Linda Jean Kerr in Wallingford, Iowa. To this union, two daughters were born, Kelly and Mindy.
During their early years in marriage Linda, Delly and some of their friends traveled working as Carnies. They worked the games, rides and had many laughs on the road. Delly also worked for the Wallingford Elevator. In 1981, they loaded the family belongings into their green motorhome and headed to Wyoming, where he worked as a welding inspector. After living in Evanston, WY, they found their way back to Wallingford, where they opened Paradise Video in Estherville and later bought and ran Farmer’s Grill in Wallingford. Delly took over his fathers’ Welding Shop in Wallingford and ran it until he wasn’t able to weld any longer. Finally, Delly had a Lawn Care Service which he sold and then retired.
Once COVID hit, Delly and Linda spent their time together playing cards, sharing memories and watching Netflix together.
He was a member of Wallingford Lutheran Church, Relay for Life, Wallingford City Council and retired Volunteer Wallingford Firefighter. Delly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, camping, fishing, hunting, target shooting, glass work, playing cards and trips to Leech Lake as well as winters in TX. Linda passed away in September of 2022 and he missed her everyday.
Delly is survived by his children, Kelly (Juan) Reyes and Mindy (Lonnie) Hockett; grandchildren, Amanda (Fernando) Reyes, Nathan (Antoinette) Reyes, Marissa (Eddie) Reyes, Madison (Nicholas) Hockett, and Kerken Hockett, as well as 10 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Sandy Wolf and Cindy Kerr-Moisuk; nieces Brenda Walck, Melissa (Dominic) Kirui; nephews Craig (Beth) Carter, Joel (Nikki) Mickelson, Kevin (Jennifer) Wolf, as well as a lot of special relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Linda, brothers, Ron (Carol) Mickelson and Eugene (Janice) Mickelson, brothers-in-law, David Wolf and Kenneth Moisuk; and mother and father-in-law, Arthur and Wanda Kerr.
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