Paul Mikaelsen

Paul Gerhard Mikaelsen, born on January 13, 1951, in La Paz, Bolivia S.A. to John A. Mikaelsen and Luverne D. (Wold) Mikaelsen, missionaries serving in Bolivia, went home to be with the Lord on February 2, 2025, at the age of 74. When Paul was 14 years old, the family moved to Northfield, MN where he attended the Northfield High School and graduated in 1968. After high school, Paul attended the California Lutheran Bible School in Los Angeles where he met his future wife. On September 20, 1969, Paul married Jaqueline (Jay) Freeberg at Vasa Lutheran Church in MN. The couple lived in Northfield, MN while Paul attended the Dunwoody Technical Institute and graduated in 1972 with a degree in Auto-Electrical Mechanics. In 1976 Paul and Jacqueline joined the World Mission Prayer League, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN as full-time missionaries. In 1977 Paul and Jacqueline, with their two children, Theresa and Jesse, traveled to Caranavi, Bolivia to take over the work of the Christian radio station “Radio Caranavi.” In 1979 they returned to the USA and their son, Dallas, was born. In 1990 they returned to Bolivia as a family to Caranavi, Bolivia to continue the work with the radio and adding television to their ministry broadcasting under the name “Radio Television Caranavi – RTC.” Paul and Jacqueline served full time with RTC in Bolivia until returning in 2020 to the USA. From that time, they continue to work with RTC but from the States, and their daughter, Theresa helping them out in Bolivia.

Paul was an accomplished mechanic, radio & TV technician, and a “jack-of-all-trades” to fix things. He loved people and always had a smile on his face. He loved to talk about his adventures in Bolivia and God’s protective care. He loved playing games and cards with his family & friends. Paul was a Private and Instrument-rated pilot and flew his own plane on over 500 medical emergency flights in Bolivia, saving many lives. 

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, John and Luverne Mikaelsen, and his brothers, David & Daniel.   Paul is survived by his wife, Jaqueline (Jay) Mikaelsen; his daughter, Theresa (Mitch) Bates of Caranavi, Bolivia; son Jesse (Anne) Mikaelsen of Whitehall, MI; and son Dallas (Danae) Mikaelsen of Miami, Florida; grandchildren Evan Ringelberg, Kellan Mikaelsen, Piers Mikaelsen, Fern Mikaelsen, and Spring Mikaelsen; and siblings Judy Yund of Bolivia S.A., Ruth (Bruce) Gee of Florida, Ben (Connie) Mikaelsen of Washington, Joel (Annie) Mikaelsen of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Vasa Lutheran Center (due to construction at the church). Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing and at the Vasa Lutheran Center for one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will be served following the service at the Vasa Lutheran Center.