Diann D. (Schwandt) Mickelson, age 87, of rural Rio, passed away November 15, 2025 at Home Again Assisted Living in Columbus, WI, with her family by her side. Diann was born January  22, 1938 to Henry and Dorothea (Lenz) Schwandt at the family farm on the shores of Little Green Lake near Markesan. 

She loved living on the farm where they milked cows, raised chickens, and used Percheron horses to prepare fields and harvest crops. The family sold the farm and moved to Markesan in 1955, where Diann graduated high school, despite her dislike of the high school’s dress code requiring dresses for girls.

Diann continued her education at UW-La Crosse. Her roommates at Radke House would become lifelong friends, continuing to hold reunions until a few years ago. After graduating in 1959, she taught Phy. Ed. at Chilton, North Fond du Lac, and Fort Atkinson. One of the classes she taught was swimming. Ironically, later, her own children would prove to be her worst swim students. 

Diann met Ray Mickelson in 1964 when they both stood up in the wedding of their friends, Bonnie and Jim, and on July 10, 1965, they were married. Together, they farmed on the Mickelson family farm in Hampden, raising Hereford steers and growing crops, including tobacco, until Ray’s death in 2011. She continued to farm with her sons and grandson, Zachary. In her 70’s, she still drove the John Deere 4440, and in her 80’s, mowed the lawn.

Diann moved to Home Again in Columbus in 2021 when she was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), which took away her strength and mobility. Even then, she maintained an active interest in the farm. 

Diann was proud of her children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and hearing about their accomplishments. She spent many hours pushing Zachary and Megan on the swings when she babysat, but all the grandkids remember playing in the “playroom” at her house at the farm and where to find her homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Diann enjoyed the outdoors. One of her hobbies was fishing. She speared carp with a pitchfork as a kid, caught bullheads to put in the cattle water tank, fished for bluegills from the pier in Pardeeville, and was the first Mickelson to catch a legal Musky. She also enjoyed deer hunting, going to Packer games in Milwaukee, where she was a season ticket holder, and watching Wisconsin sports teams. She was a member of Spring Prairie Lutheran Church in Keyeser and a 4-H leader in Hampden. Diann appreciated living in this area where she had good neighbors. 

Diann is survived by her children, David (Barb) Mickelson of DeForest, Lynn (Tom) Bement of Cornell, Robert (Tracy) Mickelson of Fall River, and James (Suzanne) Mickelson of Janesville; her grandchildren, Zachary (Payton), Megan, Jenna, Clara, Daniel, Luke, and Jacob Mickelson; her brother, Virgil (Nancy) Schwandt; and nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends. Diann was preceded in death by her husband Ray, her parents, her sister Muriel Malmberg, and her brother-in-law Pat Malmberg. 

Diann’s family would like to thank the staff at Generations Hospice and the caregivers at Home Again Columbus, especially Ariann, for the care and support provided the last four years.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church, N509 County Road C, DeForest. Rev. Rick Bursh will officiate. Following the service, the internment will be in the Spring Prairie Cemetery with a lunch to follow at the church. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at the church with Grasse Funeral Service of Rio assisting.

Memorials may be made to Spring Prairie Cemetery Association or Spring Prairie Lutheran Church.