W. Duane Mickelsen, D.V.M.

Duane went to his heavenly home on March 3, 2026, where he is enjoying those cattle on a thousand hills (Ps. 50:10). He was born on June 27, 1936, in Coulee City, WA to Edwin and Theo Jolly Mickelsen. He grew up on a farm in Saint Andrews, WA and graduated from Coulee City High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Gayle Bonderenko, on December 29, 1956. This year would have marked their 70th anniversary. Duane and Gayle lived in Astoria, Oregon while Duane served in the Navy (1956-59). It was here that they began their family with eldest daughter, Denise. They returned to Saint Andrews where Duane managed his family farm. They added an additional family member, their second daughter, Rebecca (Becky). Duane’s passion for large animals ignited his decision to attend college. In 1966, he completed an undergraduate degree with honors from Big Bend Community College before relocating his family to Palouse, WA to attend Washington State University. While studying, two more family members were added, their third daughter, Kris, and only son, Mark. Duane received his doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine in 1970. From 1970 to 1974, he held private practices in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. In 1975, he taught veterinarian medicine to students at WSU until 2006. While teaching at WSU, he completed a master of Veterinarian Science from the University of Idaho and became a diplomat of the College of American Theriogenologist’s in 1978. He spoke at national and international conventions and authored in several publications, journals, and books. He continued private practice from 2006 to 2016. Duane was a member of Pine Grove and Pomona Grange for 70 years, participated in the Cottonwood prison ministry, and president of the Full Gospel Businessman’s Fellowship International. He enjoyed family gatherings, potlucks, camping trips, fishing and hunting, country drives and road trips, oil painting, raising Pinzgauer cattle and showing them at state and county fairs. He was forever studying and learning in matters of herd health management, his country, and his faith. Duane is survived by his wife, his four (4) children Denise (Jerry) Winters, Becky Mullin, Kris Nilsson, and Mark Mickelsen. His six (6) grandchildren Nick (Adelae) Winters, Ashley (Curtis) McCall, Katie (Tanner) Suing, Christian Nilsson, Caleb Nilsson, and Ryan (Shaelyn) Mullin, and five (5) great-grandchildren, Madeline, Isaac, and Logan Winters, Kingston Shirey (Nilsson), Nolan McCall, and baby boy Suing. Duane is proceeded in death by his parents, Edwin, and Theo Jolly Mickelsen, his sister, Shirley Kelley (2022). The memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Living Faith Fellowship Church in Pullman, WA. Corbeill Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements.