Rick Mikelson

Rick Mikelson, 67, of Julesburg, passed away December 7, 2023, at Fort Collins, Colorado.

Ricky Gene, the son of Gene Mikelson and Jackie Ebke, was born December 12, 1955, in Julesburg, Colorado. Rick was the only son of his parents and the little brother to his two older sisters. Rick attended school in Julesburg, where he played football and basketball and competed in track. He graduated from Julesburg High School in 1974.

After high school, Rick was accepted at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, on a football and track scholarship. He graduated from Chadron in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in recreation sports management. Besides earning a degree, Rick was such a valuable defensive lineman to the Chadron Eagles that he was inducted into the Chadron State College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999. Rick was a three-year starter at tackle and earned all-district and honorable mention All-American honors as a senior in 1977. He led the team in tackles in 1975 and '77 with 104 and 101, respectively. Mikelson also threw the shot for the CSC track team as a junior and senior. Rick's football journey lasted beyond Chadron: he was the football and strength coach for Garden City Community College, the author of a weightlifting book, a member of the Seattle Seahawks and, later, the Tri-City Jets, and finally he coached at Chadron State College.

Following his collegiate journey, Rick married his wife Barbara on August 3rd, 1985, at Berea Lutheran Church in Chappell, Nebraska. Rick and Barb were joined as man and wife before welcoming three children, Cassandra, Corey, and Chad, into their family. Rick was a loving and devoted father known famously for attending every one of his children's athletic and academic events in both high school and college.

During decades spent as a dedicated husband and father, Rick worked for Deul County Road and Bridge, Sedgwick County Road and Bridge, Ebke Brothers Farming, and the Union Pacific Railroad, among others. Rick retired from Union Pacific in 2022 and spent his retirement in the town he was born in, surrounded by his wife, mother, children, and grandchildren.

Rick was preceded in death by sister Vickie Bones, stepfather Elmer Ebke, father and stepmother Gene and Virginia Mikelson, and many other loved ones. Rick is survived by his wife, Barbara Mikelson of Julesburg, Colorado; daughter Cassandra and Brady Doty; son Corey (Madelyn) Mikelson; and son Chad Mikelson; Mother Jackie Ebke of Julesburg, Colorado; sister Marsha and Steve Lockhart; nephews Matt (Davina) Lockhart; Bill (ReNae) Lockhart; Sean Lockhart; Rick (Dee) Lockhart; and niece Lindsay (Aaron) Meyer. Rick's greatest joys were his three young granddaughters, Jacqueline, Neligh, and Odette Doty.

A memorial has been established in Rick's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Services will be on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 10:30 am at Berea Lutheran Church in Chappell, with Pastor Scotty Ray Officiating. Interment will be in the Berea Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 3 pm until 7 pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Julesburg.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.