James Andrew Mickelson Sr

James Andrew Mickelson, third child of Andrew and Jessie Helmer Mickelson, was born at home on September 17, 1934 on a farm near Newell, SD. He joined sisters Marguerite and Marilyn. He was followed by a sister Patsy. Andy and Jessie purchased a farm east of Nisland in 1937. It was here that Jim spent the remainder of his life.

At Nisland High School, Jim played trumpet in the band, football, and basketball. He graduated in 1953. By then, he was already farming and ranching with his father. They raised cattle, sheep, and hogs. Jim was widely respected for good farming practices and for his land stewardship. He joined with neighbors Solly Stark and the Fenton Brothers to form MSF Fertilizer Company. When severe weather-related livestock losses necessitated working off the farm, Jim became a ditch rider for the Belle Fourche Irrigation District, a job he held for nearly two decades. In later years, he drove school bus for the Newell Schools. He claimed that being a bus driver was one of the best jobs ever because he got to see school kids every day. They always put a smile on his face.

Jim married Deanna Luft on September 12, 1970. He knew she was a keeper when she agreed to a second date even though, for their first date, he'd picked her up in his old farm truck--complete with hog racks and smell! With marriage, Jim became instant father to Kim and Kerry whom he adopted. In January of 1972, their family was made complete with the birth of son James A. Mickelson, Jr.

Jim was a member of the Newell Evangelical Church where he and Deanna sang in the choir. He was also a founding member of the Nisland Lions Club. He took pride in knowing that his parents' farm is now in its 4th generation of Mickelsons and is approaching Centennial status.

Priorities were important to Jim and his after-work priorities centered on people. From childhood, Jim relished time spent with friends and family. He enjoyed kick the can and tag as a kid, card games in adulthood, weekend golfing with brother-in-law Ralph, and always, family holidays. He also treasured bookend events, claiming that he was a member of the last class to graduate from Nisland High School (a claim disputed by others from other years!) and Jim, Jr was a member of the last 8th grade class to graduate from the Nisland Grade School. An oft-repeated memory expressed gratitude and amazement for his sister Marguerite. A farm truck had gotten stuck crossing Owl Creek. When Jim tried to tow the truck free using a Farmall B tractor, the tractor reared over backward, pinning Jim beneath it. Marguerite saw it happen, managed to lift the tractor and drag Jim to safety. No one has ever been able to explain how she was able to do that. Across decades, happiness was time spent whenever and wherever the four Mickelson families gathered.

With family at his side, Jim was freed from earthly pains and limitations on February 9, 2026. He slipped away to rejoin his beloved Deanna, his parents and sisters, and extended family.

Jim is survived by his son, Jim Jr., daughter Kim Crosswait, and grandchildren Clayton Mickelson, Ben (Bailey) Mickelson, Jesse Mickelson, Emma Mickelson, Cloe Mickelson, and Rachel Crosswait, sister Patsy Deinstel, Rapid City, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Deanna in 2012, son Kerry, parents, Andy and Jessie Mickelson, his sisters, and brothers-in-law Marguerite and Les Kleven, Marilyn and Richard Elenberger, brother-in-law Ralph Deinstel, and nieces Michelle Deinstel Martell and Debbie Elenberger Miller.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, February 27th at 10:00 am at the Newell Evangelical Church in Newell, SD with Reverend Tom Martin officiating. The funeral will be livestreamed and can be viewed on James's obituary page at klinefuneralchapel.com. Interment will take place at the family farm.

Arrangements are in the care of Kline Funeral Chapel of Belle Fourche. An online guest book is available at klinefuneralchapel.com