Alvin Mikkelsen

Alvin Bertel, the eldest son of Mikael and Katie (Thygesen) Mikkelsen, was born July 26, 1918, on the family farm in Guthrie County, near Coon Rapids, Iowa. Alvin was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church south of Coon Rapids. He attended country school and then school in Coon Rapids for a year. After attending school in Guthrie Center for a short time he stayed at home to help his father on the farm. After Pearl Harbor, on January 5, 1942, Alvin enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the Air Corps. He was an airplane mechanic working on experimental placement of machine guns on B25s. He served in Australia, New Guinea, where he was supervisor of the cable department, and the Philippines. After his honorable discharge Alvin returned to the Coon Rapids area farming both the family farm and his own farm. In 1988 he retired from farming and moved into his new home in Coon Rapids. He spent his time delivering meals to people in their homes, caring for his church, attending congregate meals, working on projects with his dear friend Henry, reading and visiting with many friends and relatives. After his return from the military service, Alvin served as treasurer at Immanuel Lutheran until it closed in the early 1960s when he and many of the members moved to Ascension Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids. He was clerk and trustee of Union Township, Guthrie County for nearly forty years. Alvin was a member of the American Legion in Coon Rapids; the VFW in Audubon and was township chair of the ASCS. He also enjoyed his membership in the 2 Cycle Club and Antique Tractor Club. He was extremely proud of this Danish heritage and enjoyed Danish food and customs. After a brief illness, Alvin moved to the New Homestead in Guthrie Center in February of 2009. He died there on June 5, 2010 at the age of 91 years, 10 months and 10 days. Preceding him in death are his parents; brother Wilson Mikkelsen; sister Ramona King; brothers-in-law Don King and Cliff Swanson and two nephews Timmy Mikkelsen and Craig Swanson. Survivors include his sister Mildred Swanson of Marshalltown; sister-in-law Lenore Mikkelsen of Guthrie Center; three nieces Linda (Ray) Ayers of Westminister, CO; Cindy (Bill) McCarty of Panora and Nancy (Jim) Kite of Auburn, NE; nephew Paul (Lynelle) Mikkelsen of Adel; eight great nieces; six great nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Music Marcia Young, Vocalist Deb Coffman, Organist Casket Bearers Paul Mikkelsen Bill McCarty Jim Kite Kaleb McCarty Jacob Kite Roger Mikkelsen Merlin Mikklesen Virgil Mikkelsen Honorary Casket Bearers Dale Christensen Darrell Williams Laverne Royer Dick Knudsen Don Sorensen Arnold "Nick" Andersen Veryl Benton Emi McCarty Jess McCarty Cassia Kite Bailey Mikkelsen Maddie Mikkelsen Lauren Mikkelsen Claire Mikkelsen Mikael Ayers Kari Ayers Thomas Doane-Swanson Jessie Doane-Swanson David Doane-Swanson