Ivan Mikkelsen

Ivan Mikkelsen, 87, passed Thursday June 7, 2018 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illiniois after a short illness. Born and raised in Borris, Denmark, the son of Hans and Marie Mikkelsen. Ivan saw the German invasion of his country as a young man, and later served in the Danish Navy. Ivan immigrated to the United States in 1951 and served our country in the Korean War as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps.

Ivan attended East Los Angeles College, and was an electrician by trade. He also lived and worked for many years in Hawaii, where he met his wife. Ivan worked at the Byron Nuclear Plant until his retirement. He was General Foreman, for the electricians, and a member of IBEW Local 364. Ivan was also a Mason.

Predeceased by parents, Hans Christian and Marie Mikkelsen and wife Mary Lorraine (Cuppini) Mikkelsen. He is survived by step-daughter, Candi Hogan and son-in-law Jim Hogan (New Mexico); sisters, Ditte Christensen and Inger Pedersen (Denmark) and numerous nieces and nephews in Denmark and the U.S.

Ivan had been a resident of The Atrium Community since 2010 where he felt quite at home, loved, and cared for. A special thanks to all the staff there. Special thanks also to his niece Suzanne Waggoner for checking in on him and supplying him with favorite treats. Ivan will be missed.

Cremation rites accorded with Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. Christian services will be held in Denmark, with his niece Pastor Anne Hillgaard Pedersen officiating. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.