Rome Mickelson, age 84, of Twin Valley, MN, died Thursday, January 21, 2016, in Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen, MN.

Rome Hubert Mickelson was the eldest child born February 16, 1931, to Helen A. (Johnson) and Roy I. Mickelson at Twin Valley, MN. He was raised on the farm that his paternal grandfather homesteaded. Rome was baptized and confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church. He attended eight years in the nearby country school and four years of high school in Twin Valley. Rome enrolled in Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, for one year. He then transferred to North Dakota State University in the fall of 1951, and graduated four years later with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering in June, 1955.

Rome gained summer employment with the University's agricultural engineering department on one of their irrigation development farms managing a water management experiment on grasses. In the fall of 1955, he became an agricultural engineer with the US Department of Agriculture at the US Field Station in Mandan, ND. He was employed with the agency for 31 years at Mandan, ND, Grand Forks, ND, Bushland, TX, and Akron, CO, where he spent 25 years of his career. At Akron, he conducted research on land forming systems to control and utilize runoff for dryland crop production and control soil erosion. The results of his research were published in various scientific magazines of professional organizations that he was a member of. Rome also served as Location Leader of the experiment station for about six years overseeing its entire research program. Rome retired from the service in January, 1987.

While at Akron, he was actively involved in the local Lions Club having served most offices as well as District Governor for the organization. Rome was a charter member and Past Exulted Ruler of the Akron Elks Lodge. He was active in the Washington County Golf Club, Chamber of Commerce, the Lutheran Church, and the Boy Scouts.

Rome met and married Grace Andrews of Akron and was divorced after about 13 years of marriage. They had no children from this union. Rome later met Betty J. Higinbotham, whom he married on April 29, 1984. She had three grown children from her previous marriage. Rome and Betty retired from their respective careers to the Navaho Estates west of Walsenburg, CO, where they resided for eight years. Due to his wife's deteriorating health, they sold their home and moved to Joplin, Missouri, in 1994, to be close to his wife's family. Both Rome and Betty were actively involved in various activities of Peace Lutheran Church of Joplin.

It had been 55 years since Rome called Twin Valley home, but following Betty's death in 2005, he moved back to Twin Valley to be close to his family. He resided at the Svobodny apartments and greatly loved his new home, friends and neighbors.

Rome was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. When he returned to Twin Valley, Rome transferred his membership from the Akron, CO, Lions Club to the local Lions Club. He was an active member and a perpetual Lion Tamer and in March of 2013, Rome became treasurer. He had a huge heart for giving and was a contributor to many charities and organizations. Rome enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his annual family reunion "Mickelfest". In Rome's younger years, he was an avid bowler and golfer and has many awards. His favorite pastimes included, reading, working crossword puzzles, listening to music and he was hard to beat at cribbage and farkle.

Rome is survived by a sister, Colleen (Dennis) Volden of Hinckley, MN; brothers, David (Coleen) Mickelson and Roy "Chaney" (Janice) Mickelson all of Twin Valley; special friends, Marvin and Peggy Hanson and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Paul and an infant brother, Thomas and a sister-in-law, Evie.

Burial will be in La Veta Cemetery, La Veta, CO, at a later date.