GENEVIEVE LAMAE (THOMPSON) MIKELSON of Onalaska, Wis., died Dec. 9, 2011, at age 83, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She was born August 27, 1928 in Ettrick, Wis., to Arthur and Mildred (Linderud) Thompson. She grew-up and attended rural school there and graduated from Galesville High School in 1946. She attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she was a member of the Sigma Alpha Phi Sorority and graduated with a degree in elementary education. She married her loving husband, WALDO LEON MIKELSON ‘49, on August 2, 1952, in French Creek Lutheran Church, Ettrick. They lived in Lake Preston, S.D., until 1995 when they moved to Onalaska, Wis. LaMae taught school in Cresco, Iowa; Blair, Wis.; and Lake Preston, S.D. In 1991 she was awarded a certificate for “Teachers Who Make A Difference.” Upon her retirement she received a letter from the Governor of South Dakota for her years of service. Her love of teaching lives on through many. LaMae was a member of First Lutheran Church in Onalaska where she served on the church council and was an active circle member. She was a volunteer at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center for 17 years and appeared on the Service Excellence Honor Roll – she touched the lives of many in the Family Waiting Room/ICU. When LaMae was a member of Lake Preston Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was active in Ladies Aid, a church council member, and served on the call committee. LaMae was a passionate sports fan. She loved to cheer for the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers. She loved to bake, travel, visit with friends, and most importantly, laugh. Those left to remember this amazing person with love include her daughter, Dawn Stroh, son-in-law Jeff Stroh, two grandchildren Emily and Daniel of Roseville, Calif.; her sister Beverly (Francis) Solberg, Ettrick; niece Pauline (Ron) Haug, Sparta; nephew Ralph (Renee) Solberg, Kasson, Minn.; nephew Ryan (Susan) Solberg, Arlington Heights, Ill. She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Thompson, in 1980, mother, Mildred Thompson, in 1990, and husband, Waldo Mikelson in 1999. Funeral services were held on December 14, 2011, at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, and burial in French Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ettrick where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. Memorials may be given to First Lutheran Church, French Creek Lutheran Church, or Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation. LaMae wished to express her appreciation and thank you to First Lutheran circle group, friends, neighbors, and staff at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain. But God did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and a light for the way. And for all who believe in His kingdom above, He answers their faith with everlasting love.