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Cole Mickelson Obituary
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, with burial in Stanford Cemetery.
Cole John Mickelson was born Jan. 20, 1987, in Missoula, Mont., to his parents Mary Jo Ridgeway and Jim Mickelson. He was residing in Missoula at the time of his death.
After a long battle with schizophrenia, Cole chose to end his life while at his mother and stepfather's home over spring break. Cole was attending the University of Montana, majoring in literature, after having graduated with high honors from Miles Community College. He graduated from Sentinel High School in Missoula.
After being diagnosed with schizophrenia, Cole fought very hard to keep the voices at bay and keep his mind his own. Being a person suffering from mental illness, he battled loneliness and isolation. Although he knew we were always there to help, love and support him, the war going on with the demons pursuing and torturing him every day of his life became overwhelming. We understand, Coley. Please know we love you.
Cole had a beautiful mind, was the smartest person we ever knew and was so gentle with others. He loved to think about and discuss issues involving the environment, politics, history, religion and philosophy. He loved music, reading, the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and video games. And he loved his family very much as we did him.
Cole was predeceased by his beloved grandparents John and Emma Ridgeway; and his aunt Susan Ridgeway.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Mary Jo Ridgeway and Gary Day; his father and stepmother, Jim Mickelson and Mindy Carver; his brothers and sisters, Adam and Jenn Mickelson, Justin Day and Catharine Houstoun; his grandparents Kay and Larry Mickelson, Dennis and Alice Carver, and Alva Day; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Please rest in peace, dear son. You will always be in our hearts and minds. Rather than a memorial, we urge all who read this to keep their hearts and minds open to those with mental illness and to be good and gentle and gracious with others. Cole would want it that way.
Condolences may be posted online at www.stevensonandsons.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cole Mickelson
Gino Dunfee
April 28, 2012
Jo and Gary: I just learned of Cole's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely,
April 23, 2012
Dear Mary Jo and all, I just heard about Cole. I am so very sorry for you all. I know you are hurting so badly. I'm sure he was welcomed with open arms by Jesus, Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Susan. I pray for your comfort and peace. Love, Judy Sinclair Fry
Jerry and Guilda Mickelson
April 22, 2012
Dear Jim, Mindy, Mary Joe and Gary,
Our hearts and prayers go out to you in this incredibly difficult time. Our prayers are with Cole as he returns unto God and his spirit will be solaced. If we may share a reflection from the Baha'i Hidden Words a small solace to you that God is indeed welcoming Cole into his realm
"O SON OF SPIRIT!
With the joyful tidings of light I hail thee: rejoice! To the court of holiness I summon thee; abide therein that thou mayest live in peace for evermore.
Julie Ash
April 13, 2012
To Cole's family: Please accept my very deepest condolences on your terrible loss. I did not know Cole, but I do know schizophrenia. My own son was also born in 1987, and has suffered greatly from this horrific illness. My mother also had schizophrenia and I lost her to suicide many years ago. Thank you for so beautifully describing Cole to us and so openly sharing about his illness. May your memories of happier times bring you comfort and peace, and may science one day find a cure for this devastating disease.
Renee Marsh
April 13, 2012
I don't know your family or son, Cole, personally but I am weeping with sorrow for all the 'sons' and 'daughters' affected by mental illness. I sub in our school system and see these children and what goes on in their everyday lives. I decided right now to advocate for these children because they are so wonderful and so worth fighting for before the demons get to steal them. God Bless you at this difficult time. My heartfelt prayers are with all who knew Cole and those who have experienced such a loss..... the world has lost a wonderful soul.
Renee (Peluso) Marsh
Andy B
April 13, 2012
i love Coley so much. he has not left my thoughts for the past four days. such a silly, funny, and wild boy. a hard working and hard playing young adult. and a wise, compassionate man. there are so many things i want to say, but most importantly i love you Cole. my heart aches, and goes out to you Mary Jo, Jim, Mindy, Gary, Adam, Jenn, and all of Cole's family. Cole loved his family very much. We saw the world together, and Cole helped me stumble my way through it. He was magnificent.
Kevin Crowley
April 12, 2012
You will be deeply missed Cole.
April 12, 2012
Dear Mary Jo & Gary: Terry & I send our deepest sympathy, prayers & love to you and your family. We are so sorry. May the Lord enfold you in his arms and give you comfort & peace. All our love. Terry & Judy
Tracey Proud
April 12, 2012
I went to school in Miles City with Cole, My thoughts are with Cole and his family at this time, what an amazing person he was- The only one in Jr. High who could run the Mile Faster than me. Tracey (Mann) Proud
Peg Taylor
April 11, 2012
I have such fond memories of Cole over at our house playing with Paul. He was a great kid. I loved having him around. I am so sorry he is gone, he will be missed by many. Love & Prayers to you all.
April 11, 2012
2006 P2P rider with traumatic brain injuries and mental illness issues sends thoughts of peace to mary jo and her family. *
Deb and Mark Gustafson
April 11, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts.
Susan Anderson
April 10, 2012
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I taught Cole at Lewis and Clark Elementary. He was a great kid. I enjoyed him in class. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
trevor looney
April 10, 2012
Cole got me a gift on my 17th birthday that was a queens of the stone age cd. a gift i loved and had no idea how badly i wanted it until he got it for me. that is a truly good friend. one that knows you better than yourself. rest in peace my friend
Kara Bell
April 10, 2012
You and your family are in my prayers. Cole was good friends with my brother, Paul, and I remember him fondly. Much peace to Cole.
MJ
April 10, 2012
I didn't know him well, but he shared a poem in class that was incredibly insightful, and I respected him for it. This is a great loss, and I am sorry - to Cole and to all of those who knew him.
"The Old Gang" courtesy of Stuart Strothman who this wonderful photo.
Paul Taylor
April 10, 2012
Sorry for your loss and I will never forget my best childhood friend. Here's to all the memories and good times we shared. May his family and friends find comfort in his peace and only remember the inspiration, friend and genuine person he truly was. I couldn't have asked for a better friend to have grown up with and shared my childhood with. Here's to "The Old Gang".
Debby (Sunni) Phillips
April 10, 2012
I am overwhelmed with sadness for you. May dear Cole rest in peace.
Nic Headlee
April 10, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss, my prayers go out to you. We shared some great times in school, he will be missed. RIP C-Dub
Dale & Corinne VanKuiken
April 10, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brande Whitaker
April 10, 2012
My condolences. My heart goes out to you. I'm will always remember Cole when he attended Kids Stuff. Thoughts and Prayers to you.
Rita
April 10, 2012
I didn't know your son, but I'm grateful you have the courage to acknowledge his mental illness. Sharing will lead to more understanding and acceptance. Cole was more than his mental illness; I'm sorry those inner demons took him from you. Blessings to you all.
Stuart Strothman
April 10, 2012
I am so Sorry for your loss, i will miss him we had some good times when we were younger. Which Much Love
Ray and Bonnie Soulsby
April 10, 2012
Jo, Mike, and Randy - Each life touches another in a rippling effect like a stone thrown in water. Condolences to you whose life touched ours and to your extended families whose life was intermingled with Cole.
Dennis Conner
April 10, 2012
My heart heart goes out to you. My wife Jan and I lost our son Mike who fought and lost the same battle. Your son Cole sounds like a cabon copy of MIke. We thought we knew what grief is but had no idea until losing Mike. We found that among the best things we good do to help us mentally is to talk about Mike, like you are doing in your beautiful,heartfelt obituary about Cole and by trying to be good and gentle and gracious with others like Mike and Cole. Please feel free to call me so I can share so thoughts with you. It will be 6 years since west Mike and and I think a talk might help,
Dennis Conner, Great Falls,Montana, 406-868-3550
Kellie Gibson
April 10, 2012
Thank you for writing so wonderfully about your son and sharing his story. He sounds like a beautiful spirit. Hold him in your heart!
Susan & Jim Renner
April 10, 2012
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. So sad for everyone. We love you all.
Brenda Lackey
April 10, 2012
I am very sorry to hear of your loss- your family will be in my prayers,we too loss our son in August to mental illness.It makes me very sad that another family has to go through this.
Leanne Schillinger
April 10, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. Mental illness is so mis-understood. My thoughts and prayers are with you...
Susan
April 10, 2012
I am so sorry to here of your loss. I have suffered all my life with mental illness. I hope that he is finally at peace.
Mary Nordhagen
April 10, 2012
I'm so sorry for your loss - my thoughts are with your family.
Michelle T
April 10, 2012
I am deeply sadden by your loss. May God be with all of you at this time.
Deb Asmus
April 10, 2012
I didn't know Cole, but your words were so moving and loving, I had to write. Thank you for your courage to let people know what a wonderful young man that Cole was and what struggles he and many others face on a daily basis.
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