JoAnn L. Mikelson

JoAnn Louise Mikelson, 81, of Galena, IL, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025. A funeral service will be held at Noon on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Grace Episcopal Church in Galena, IL. The burial will be in the church columbarium. The Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena is assisting the family. JoAnn was born on March 1, 1944, in Braham, MN, the daughter of John and Ragna Sogn, both Norwegian immigrants. She grew up in Mora, MN. She attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, where she sang and soloed with the Augsburg choir. JoAnn was a trained soprano who won many music awards. Singing was in her soul. She sang in multiple choirs and community choruses, from early childhood to only two years ago. Her singing prowess was instrumental in her being crowned “Miss Mora” in 1965, as well as being second runner-up in the Miss Minnesota competition. On May 1, 1966, she married David Mikelson, her college sweetheart. They started their married lives living in Heidelberg, Germany, followed by years in Minneapolis, MN; Novato, CA; Hudson, NH; Naperville, IL; and finally, Galena, IL. JoAnn bore two sons, Kristofer (Melanie) Mikelson, of Mustang, OK, and Jason (Carolyn) Mikelson, of Oswego, IL, both of whom were with her near the end. After completing their schooling, she began a sales career, first as a successful Real Estate agent, and then as the top salesperson, selling shelf space management services for Gladson and Associates. JoAnn was a proud grandparent of six grandchildren, Haley (Stephen) Hulsey and Kristofer Mikelson, Jr. of Edmond, OK, and Audrey, Emma, Olivia, and Alexander Mikelson of Oswego, IL. She is also survived by her two sisters, Beatta Hillman of Mora, MN, and Karen Grauel of Ogilvie, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, John Thomas and Roland Sogn. The family would like to extend special thanks to the nursing staff at Midwest Medical Center, who provided wonderful care to her and the family during her time under comfort care at that facility.