TOPEKA — Janis Marilyn (Peters) Mickelson, Lyndon, died Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Aldersgate Village, Topeka. She was 89.
She was born Dec. 17, 1933, one of three children born to Tim and Helen (Bailey) Peters. She grew up on the family farm northwest of Vassar. She graduated from Lyndon High School in 1951, and soon began nurse’s training.
Janis married Richard Raymond Mickelson Feb. 24, 1952, in Lyndon, and they shared almost 71 years together.
In the early years of her marriage, she remained home to raise her three children. Once they were all in school, she and Richard shared a school bus route before she went to work as head cook for Lyndon public schools. She also worked for the Osage County Weed Department and Beatty’s Western Wear. She enjoyed meeting and visiting with people.
Janis was an accomplished seamstress and quilt maker, and enjoyed making clothing and quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was also sure to have plenty of cookies or other goodies available when anyone came to visit.
She and Richard ran a successful row crop and livestock business for more than 70 years at the family farm in rural Lyndon. She loved to be outside, and she and Richard spent time being good stewards of the land and tending their Hereford cattle.
They enjoyed square dancing, card playing and traveling. Bank and extension office-sponsored bus tours were their favorites, and they visited several states and Canada through the years. Janis enjoyed serving on the Olivet Township Election Board for many years.
Janis was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Bill Peters and Tom Peters.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Mickelson, Vintage Park, Osage City; three children, Lucinda Anstaett (Doug), Topeka, Neil Mickelson (Kathy), Lyndon, and Marilyn Gordon (Roger), Dover; six grandchildren, Beth Iversen (Russ), Lawrence, Rett Mickelson (Gloria), Heartland, Texas, Dusty Mickelson (April), Warr Acres, Okla., Ashley All (Matt), Lawrence, Chris Mickelson (Erica), Lyndon, and Eric Gordon (fiancée Brielle Dorn), Maple Hill; and 14 great-grandchildren, Olivia and Sebastian Iversen, Dmitri, Feliks and Milo Mickelson, Henry and Quinn Mickelson, Helena, Thomas, Penelope, Silvia and Georgia All, and Mae and Marti Mickelson.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon. Honoring Janis’s request, there will be no service. A private family gathering will take place at Lyndon Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Hometown Health, Vintage Park of Osage City, the Gardens at Aldersgate Village and Prairie Wind Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lyndon Public Library or the American Diabetes Association, and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
Condolences may be left at FeltnerFuneralHome.com.
