Melvin Larry Mickelsen

1935 - 2010  (75 years)

• Name	Melvin Larry Mickelsen
  Born	30 Apr 1935	Cresent, Salt Lake, Utah
  Gender	Male
  Died	22 Nov 2010	Parker, Douglas, Colorado
  	Melvin Larry Mickelsen 1935 ~ 2010 Melvin Larry Mickelsen, (known as Larry or Mel), passed away at his home in Parker, CO, on November 22nd. Mel was born in Crescent, UT on April 30th 1935 to Adolph James Mickelsen and Ellen Nelson. He spent his childhood working on the family farm learning self-reliance, resilience, determination and hard work. In 1957 Mel received his BA from the University of Utah; majoring in History, minoring in Political Science, and married JoeAnn Webb of Midvale, UT on November 23rd that same year. Mel loved history and taught American History in Magna, UT, Baltimore and Colorado Springs. He earned his MA from the University of Colorado in Education Administration in 1966. A hard core admirer of FDR, he firmly believed in the dignity of work and in justice and the rights of the working person. As a teacher, he focused those beliefs on teachers and co-founded the Colorado Springs Teachers Association, (CSTA), 1967. In 1972, he was hired by the Colorado Education Association, (CEA), as the Director of Bargaining, a job he loved and thrived in. Mel is credited as being the driving force behind the establishment of collective-bargaining for teachers in the state of Colorado. He was a mentor for bargainers, staff and leaders throughout Colorado school districts. The CEA Diamond Bargaining Award, was renamed the Mel Mickelsen Diamond Bargaining Award in recognition of his work and dedication to teachers and bargaining. He is the only employee to be so honored. Mel enjoyed a good laugh, W.C. Fields, Jack Benny and Victor Borge, the movies; especially old ones, Willie Nelson, Lena Horn, camping and fishing, travel, visiting historic sites, the National Parks, dogs, working with his hands and gardening. And he loved his wife and best friend Joe, who passed in May. He was a great man and father. His kindness, sense of humor, patience, intelligent wisdom and advice, thoughtfulness, as well as his smile and laughter are much missed by all who knew and loved him: daughters Cary Mickelsen and Jill Lakovich Mickelsen, grandson Joseph Milan Lakovich, brothers Lee and Reid Mickelsen and sisters Arlene Moore and Lorene Mark. Brothers Ray and Gordon Mickelsen preceded him in death. A memorial celebration of Mel's life will be held at the Parker Seniors' Center, 10675 S. Longs Way, Parker, Sunday, January 9th, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Donations may be made in his memory to: The National Trust for Historic Preservation, www.preservationnation.org/donate, PBS, or National Parks Conservation Association, www.npca.org. The family would like to send its sincere and heartfelt thanks to Julie Westenberger, Dr. Jeffrey Wallace and staff at the Seniors Center at the University of Colorado Hospital, the South Team at the Denver Hospice, and for the attention, care and kindness given to Mel over the years.
  Person ID	I14184	Grow
  Last Modified	21 Oct 2013

  
  

  Family	Joe Ann Webb,   b. 4 Nov 1932, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah ,   d. 13 May 2010, Murray, Salt Lake, Utah  (Age 77 years)
  Married	22 Nov 1957
  Children	1. Cary Mickelsen   2. Jill Mickelsen
  Photos		Melvin Larry Michelsen
  Last Modified	21 Oct 2013
  Family ID	F4920	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Melvin Larry Michelsen Photo Many thanks to find a grave