Mary Louise Mickelson

Mary L. Mickelson (nee: Napoli)

Mary passed away on December 28, 2024, at age 94. She was married to John Mickelson in 1951 and had two children – Mark and Susan.  She and John were married for 68 years before he died in 2019.

Mary was a life-long resident of the Milwaukee area.  She graduated from Riverside High School in Milwaukee in 1949.  She lived for several years in Biloxi, MS where her husband was stationed in the Air Force.

Mary enjoyed singing and was professionally trained vocally.  She was a member of the Romany Singers in the early 1950’s.  She sang faithfully in the choirs of Kingo Lutheran Church, King of Glory Lutheran Church and Resurrection Lutheran Church over the years.  She also taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible school and served on the church council at KOG. Among her jobs, Mary worked for the First Wisconsin National Bank in the Lock Box department.

Mary was a homemaker, who enjoyed taking care of her family (along with many guinea pigs) over the years.  She enjoyed automobile trips across the country, often following the Milwaukee Lake Band, of which her son was a member and visiting Boston where her son lived for many years.  She also helped start the first PFLAG chapter in Milwaukee in 1989. Her family and friends will miss her singing, her generosity and her gentle loving nature.

Mary is survived by her son Mark and by her sons-in-law Andy Toth IV and Santiago (Jimmy) Garza.  She is also survived by a niece, Kathleen Grubba and nephews Jeff Schmidt, Huns Schmidt & Lars Schmidt.  She was preceded in death by her husband John, her daughter Susan Toth, her brother Frank Napoli, Jr., her grandson AJ Toth and her parents Frank and Rose Napoli.

Mary’s funeral visitation will be held at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 12400 West Cold Spring Road, New Berlin, Wisconsin on Monday, January 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 0PM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.  Burial to follow at Arlington Park Cemetery, 4141 South 27 Street, Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Mary’s family wants to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff that have cared for her over the past several years, especially the staff at the Elizabeth Residence in New Berlin and the staff of Badger Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Resurrection Lutheran Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin or to any animal charity of your choice.