Loila Carlson Mickelson died Dec. 23, 2024, in St. Paul at the age of 67 years, 7 months, and 16 days.

She was born on Tuesday, May 7, 1957, in Duluth, the third of five children born to Arthur Junior Carlson and Marjorie Rayner Carlson of Cloquet.

Loila is survived by her siblings, Bruce Carlson (Kathryn Irons) of Estes Park, Colorado, Deborah Carlson (Robin Gault) of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Brigit Cousin (James) of Waconia, Minnesota, and Blake Carlson of St. Louis Park; along with her many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends; her dog, Kyah; and her cat, Poppy.

Loila was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Allen Mickelson; and her parents.

Loila started life as a blond, blue-eyed, happy baby with an eye for adventure that never left her. She loved to travel with an emphasis on history. She enjoyed plays, poetry, books, music, and learning. Loila was a wordsmith, and the nuances of language were often explored and challenged. Bravery was in Loila's DNA, from relocating to new locations, embarking on an array of job opportunities, enrolling at the College of St. Catherine at the age of 50 simply to learn and grow, ultimately graduating with honors, and her final challenge of navigating pancreatic cancer for six years, showing us grace and humor along the way.

Loila's legacy lives in the hearts of her family and friends (aka her pack) and those whose lives she touched, and as such, Loila will always be remembered.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Ave. S., Edina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to http://www.pancan.org, an organization important to Loila.