Larry Miles MIKKELSEN

09/18/1951 - 10/27/2013

MIKKELSEN, Larry Miles The Patriarch of our Family has gone to Glory. Larry Miles Mikkelsen was born in Colfax, Washington on September 18, 1951. He died at home surrounded by loved ones on October 27, 2013. Larry's Legacy to the world was strength, determination and honesty. You couldn't ask for more than that from your mechanic. Larry was a Master Auto Tech for over 40 years, fixing every vehicle he could lay his hands on until the last month of his life. He loved his work. He was very proud of his business, Suncrest Auto in Nine Mile Falls. His loyal customers were important to him and he often said: "My customers are my friends and that's how I will treat them." In his spare time, Larry loved fishing and hunting. He enjoyed creating a retreat on his property where he built without power a beautiful log cabin. He always wished he had lived 100 years earlier. Larry loved watching Westerns. His hero was Dick Proenneke, a mechanic who settled in Alaska and lived alone in the wilderness. Larry was fun-loving and steady. Did simply what he said he would do - Every single Day of the 22,686 days of his life. He enjoyed being married to his wife, Raleigh Annette who he was in love with for over 33 years. They had lots of fun, enjoying the lake and the ocean, getting lost in the woods on abandoned roads, having a race car, building things, throwing parties, being alone together, and talking about anything that was not very important to anyone else but them. Larry's loved ones who will miss him dearly include his son MacArthur Mikkelsen and Family of Nine Mile Falls; daughter Diana Rice and Family of Lake Stevens, WA; stepson Peter Mikkelsen and Family of Pasco, WA; his sisters Lois Valentine of Ocean Park, WA and Linda Daggett of Palouse, WA; nine Dear Grandchildren and one and a half sweet Great-Grandchildren who called him Gpa and who he loved so much; and a multitude of precious nieces and nephews and cousins and friends filled his life with love and caring. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to the Nine Mile Falls School District new grandstand fund. A "Celebrate Larry" Open House will be at the home in Nine Mile Falls on Saturday, November 2, 2013, from 2-5pm. Brats and Beer by the campfire will be served in honor of Larry. Stories and Comfort can be shared. A private Family Service will be held at a later date.