John Michaelson

John Elmer Lewis Michaelson, 86, Jamestown, North Dakota, died Friday, November 11, 2011 at Ave Maria Village, Jamestown.

John was born June 7, 1925, the son of Carl W. and Esther (Pederson) Michaelson, on the family farm near Hannaford, ND. John was baptized and confirmed at Eidfjord Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Bartley and high school at Dover Consolidated School. He attended Dakota Business College and ND Agra-College in Fargo, ND.

John entered the US Army on April 15, 1945 at Fort Snelling, MN. He received his training in Camp Robinson, AK. He went overseas with the 144th Engineer Infantry Battalion in September; destination came to be near Manila, Philippines. He soon returned to the USA and spent the summer of 1946 at Washington, DC and New York City on Staten Island, where he served as Guard and MP duty. He was honorably discharged on December 9, 1946 at Fort Dix, NJ.

John returned to the Hannaford area and began farming the home place in 1947. He farmed until 1978 when he moved to Jamestown and began employment at the ND State Hospital where he worked for 10 years. John married Fleance Olafson on August 5, 1979 in Jamestown. He enjoyed writing poetry and short stories.

John is survived by his wife, Fleance, Jamestown; one brother, Dennis Michaelson, Prescott Valley, AZ; three nephews, Jerry Michaelson, Craig Michaelson, and Chris Michaelson; four nieces, Judy Lewis, Mary Lee, Jayne Michaelson and Lisa Lemieux; and many great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Conrad.