Lawrence Christian Mikkelsen, 95, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, in Dyer, Tennessee. He was born on May 5, 1930, to Forrest and Agnes Mikkelsen in LaGrange, Wisconsin and was raised with six sisters. Larry worked on the family farm and graduated from Whitewater High School in 1947. He went to Coyne trade school in Chicago at the age of 17 to become an electrician.

Lawrence married Patricia Pieper of Whitewater, WI on February 7,1950 in Glenview, IL. Together they raised 6 children in LaGrange, Wisconsin. Larry was a practicing electrician for many years. In addition to building his own houses and being devoted to his family, Larry was a volunteer fireman for the LaGrange Township, active in the LaGrange Methodist Church, and loved snowmobiling and square dancing. In 1971, Larry and Pat moved to Dyer, TN and established Poly-M Contractors with his brother-in-law Ralph McCollum. Larry took over the business and developed it into the home building business it is today, currently run by his children, Tom, Mike and Julie. In addition to designing and building quality homes, Larry took pride in designing and crafting winding staircases present in several of the homes. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Larry’s favorite color was blue, and he always looked forward to pizza parties and family visits. He will be missed.

Lawrence Mikkelsen is survived by his children and their spouses: Mike Mikkelsen and Nancy Newman, Debby and Tim O’Brien, Tom and Cindy Mikkelsen, Kathy Spero, Chris and Randy Parker, Julie and Johnny Boyd; thirteen grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and other extended family members. He also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Patricia Mikkelsen; daughter, Shari Mikkelsen; and son-in-law, Paul Spero. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Agnes Mikkelsen; his sisters, Emma Lee Halverson, Fran Dewey, Doris Mikkelsen, Marie McCollum, Grada Luebke, and Laura Wallace.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Dec 31st at Oakwood Cemetery in Dyer, Tennessee. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Wellington Manor Jackson and Dyer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff for their compassionate care.