Shirley Mae Mikkelsen Age 84, of Rice Lake, WI, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023 in Bloomer, WI with her family by her side.

She was born on December 24, 1938 in Clear Lake, WI to Daniel and Ruby (Payson) Lillie.

Shirley graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1957 and then went to work at St. Joseph Hospital in Rice Lake. She was married to her childhood sweetheart, Donald Mikkelsen on October 12, 1957 in Clear Lake. They moved to St. Paul where she worked at Northwest Airlines. In 1960 they moved to Los Angeles, CA where she worked for Bank of America and Home Savings and Loan. They later moved to Rice Lake where she worked for Rice Lake Schools and Brill State Bank. For 24 years she traveled with her husband all over the U.S and Canada in the Entertainment Business. In 1984 they came back to their home in Brill and Don started his own business - Brill Craft. Shirley did all the book work and helped in the shop. She liked to work in the yard and mow the lawn and enjoyed cooking, sewing and collecting antiques. Her favorite hobby was collecting cookbooks and recipes of which she had a huge collection.

She is survived by a daughter, Lori Schumacher; a son, Daniel Mikkelsen; 6 grandsons, Corey Malloy, Jake and Joshua Schumacher, Travis, Tanner and Tyler Mikkelsen; a granddaughter, Shayla Lisko; 14 great grandchildren, Matteo, Kaylinn, Parker, Aubrie and Mason Malloy, Vincent Bertrand, Skylar and Ashlyn Schumacher, Kaden and Amelia Schumacher, Brooklynn, Leigha, Camila and Elwood Mikkelsen; 2 sisters, Sharon Sandahl and Sheila (Ted) Dunbar; a brother, Sherman (Sue) Lillie; 2 sisters-in-law, Dianne Smith and Joanne Lillie; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Donald Mikkelsen; her parents, Dan and Ruby Lillie; a sister, Shelby Urbanski; an infant brother, Sheldon Lillie; 4 brothers-in-law, Lawrence Schmeling, Tye Urbanski, Larry Sandahl and Dennis Denotter.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Last Update: Jun 05, 2023 10:32 am CDT