Stanley “Bill” Mikkelsen
12/02/28 – 06/20/2017

Born in Petaluma on December 2, 1928, to Herbert and Catherine Mikkelsen, Stan spent his early years on the family’s poultry ranch before moving to Ferndale where he excelled and took great pride participating on his high school football team. While attending UC Davis studying Animal Science, he was called to serve in the US Army. After his service he returned to Humboldt State where he received his degree in Biology & Accounting.

Upon entering his postgraduate years, Stan worked for Arthur Young & Co. before finding his niche in the lumber industry. Stan worked in management for Cal-Pac, Arcata Plywood, and then ultimately he purchased Del Norte Box, Co., a redwood lath mill. During his early business years, he found the courage to ask a young lady whom he had met at the bank to dance. As he did not know her name, he went to her and said, “Hey Bank of America, would you like to dance?”

Just a year or so later on July 16, 1961, Stan would marry his love, Valerie, and together soon started their family. As the years passed, Stan supported his children in sports, scouting, hunting, and camping. He volunteered in Babe Ruth, Pack 28, and Spent 22 years on the Cutten Elementary School Board.

While quiet and internal with his affections, Stan loved his family and so demonstrated by tending to Valerie as she struggled with breast cancer. He could be found every day driving her to work, picking her up for lunch, and then patiently waiting for her at the end of the day. After her passing, Stan began to reunite with his childhood friends, playing cards and reminiscing of times past. It was soon that he decided to move back to Ferndale where he looked forward to his mornings at Papa Joe’s, and a few games of Pedro or Pinochle. Stan had many close friends which he truly valued, two of which would find a special place in his heart: Chuck Gersbach and Art Pera.

Stan lived the simplest of life, never needing much. He volunteered his time freely and gave whatever he had. He was especially proud of his contributions toward prostate cancer research and for being a long-standing board member on the California Prostate Cancer Coalition, which recently honored him for his contributions toward advocacy.

Stan took great pride in all seven of his grandchildren. He is survived by his sons and their families: Todd, Melissa, Nick & Kelsey; Mark, Teri, Sara & Andrew; Chris, Lara, Ben, Emaleigh & Finley. Additionally he is survived by his brother, Jon, and his wife, Linda, of Tucson, Ariz. A private interment service will be held Friday, June 30, at Ocean View Cemetery.

We are very grateful to those who contributed to the excellent care of Stan, including those at Redwood R&R, Fresenius Kidney Care Eureka, and his dear friend Dr. Allen Mathew. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider the California Prostate Cancer Coalition, www.prostatecalif.org.

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The obituary above was submitted by Stan Mikkelsen’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.