In Remembrance

James Dennis Mickle, 56, was called home to the Lord on Saturday, October 11, after a courageous, year-long battle with gastro-esophageal cancer. He left his loving family and friends much too soon, but they have comfort knowing he is now at peace.

Jim was born to Denny and Kathy Mickle on August 21, 1969, in Duluth. He grew up making countless memories with family and friends on Chub Lake in Carlton. He graduated from Carlton High School in 1987. After working as a kitchen manager at Perkins where he met his wife, he spent nearly thirty years in maintenance at USG in Cloquet, where he formed many friendships and prided himself on hard work and lots of laughs.  Jim married the love of his life, Stephanie Felien, on June 28, 1997, and together they raised their three children in Blackhoof on the hobby farm he built for her. His children were his greatest pride, and he loved watching them grow into adulthood, as they are compassionate, hardworking, intelligent, humble, and life-loving—all descriptors of him. His greatest joys came through their accomplishments, and his legacy is the good that they will do in the world because of all he has taught them.  Jim was an avid Vikings fan and enjoyed watching college football, especially when the boys would come to sauna in “The Hut.”  He loved being at the cabin on Prairie Lake, going for toodles and sharing stories by the campfire.  Jim was his family’s rock. Anything we broke, he fixed, and anything we imagined, he built. He was an incredible father, husband, brother, son, and friend.

Jim will be forever missed by his wife of 28 years, Stephanie; his children, Jack (Ally) and granddaughter Maisy, Abby (Dawson) Hoffman and Christmas-expected granddaughter, and Brynne; his parents, Kathy and Denny; his sister, Debbie (Ralph) Yadon; his brother, Dave (Denise); and his best friend of fifty years, Brent Belich. He will also be lovingly remembered by his in-laws, many nieces and nephews, coworkers, and friends.

Jim’s life will be honored on Friday, October 24, at Journey Church in Cloquet, MN. Visitation will begin at 12:00 until the 2:00 memorial service. Light luncheon to follow. And for those who would like to raise a glass and share stories of Jim, we will gather at Streetcar in Carlton beginning at 4:00.