Generations of Leadership: The Mickelson Family
Posted on August 12, 2024
It’s been said that old friends are the best friends, which is just one reason Children’s Home Society of South Dakota cherishes the Mickelsons.
The history of South Dakota’s prominent Mickelson family and the history of CHS have been entwined since 1955. That’s when George T. Mickelson, who was South Dakota Governor from 1947 to 1951, joined the CHS Board of Directors.
At the time, George T. was Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota. He served in that capacity, and on the CHS Board, until his death in 1965.
More Mickelsons
The second and third Mickelsons to be involved with CHS were George T.’s son, George S. Mickelson, and his wife, Linda. In 1983, Linda joined the CHS board.
Before long, Linda became First Lady of South Dakota when George S. was elected Governor in 1987. Despite a busy official calendar and being the mother of three children—Mark, Amy and David—she remained involved with CHS, continuing her board service for 27 years, until 2010.
Still more Mickelsons
The next Mickelson on the CHS board was Cynthia Hart Mickelson, Mark’s wife. Cynthia’s parents are longtime CHS friends Jim and Nini Hart. so Cynthia was practically destined to become part of CHS, and she served on the board from 2010 to 2016. And when Mark and Cynthia got married, they requested donations to several nonprofits, including CHS, in lieu of gifts.
Next in line was Val Mickelson, who joined the CHS board in 2023. She is the wife of David, the youngest of George S. and Linda’s children.
Philanthropy and civic leadership is a family tradition. “We grew up with the attitude that we were fortunate and understanding the importance of giving back,” says Amy Mickelson.
She offers an example. “I went to college in Washington state on a basketball scholarship. As soon as I graduated, Dad told me to give back, even if it’s only $5 a week.”
Mark Mickelson notes that his parents also taught by example. “They were involved in everything,” he says. “Just trying to help the community. That’s just the way they both were. We didn’t really know any other way, honestly.”
The champion of CHS fundraising
In addition to helping steer the CHS ship over the years, the family has donated generously. In fact, CHS named the Mickelson Recreation Center at Sioux Falls Children’s Home in honor of George and Linda in recognition of the family’s long history of volunteering and charitable support. Family members also donated to fund the “Hub” at Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety, named for Linda. It’s the heart of the shelter, where crisis workers help survivors of domestic violence staying in the shelter and field crisis calls.
Their donations have been critically important. But the family’s leadership and advocacy have also transformed CHS.
“I don’t know if there has been any one person who has been more instrumental in our fundraising than Linda Mickelson Graham,” says Rick Weber, CHS Development Director.
“She has been a tireless volunteer in sharing our story, chairing campaigns and taking multiple leadership roles over the years,” Rick says. “Linda knows so many people throughout South Dakota—and so many people love, respect and admire Linda.”
“My mom knows a lot of people,” says David Mickelson. “And, you know, when she’s passionate about something and talks to people about it, she’s a hard person to say ‘no’ to.”
Linda cares about the mission of CHS. But according to Mark, CHS “also has the benefit of not just a good mission, but really good leadership. And I think when you’re looking to get involved in different types of charities, one of the distinguishing characteristics of Children’s Home has been exceptional leadership.”
He continues. “The leadership at Children’s Home also makes it easy to support because you know that whatever the resources are, whether it’s funds or other gifts, will be used in the best possible way for the overall goal of Children’s Home. We have had complete faith in the leadership, absolutely.”
The gift of transformation
“When I was 27, my mom was recently widowed,” Mark says. “She was in the process of moving to Sioux Falls. And she was very involved in Children’s Home activities, events, invitations, donor solicitations.”
Linda is also a good friend of Dennis Daugaard, who was the CHS Director of Development at the time and later became Governor of South Dakota. She became good friends with Dave Loving, the Executive Director, as well.
“The relationships she had with people at Children’s Home Society were important,” Amy says. “She was close to them, and she loved the work she did.”
“Children’s Home Society has been very meaningful and important to my mom. It gave her purpose during a difficult time in her life,” says Amy. “After her family and faith, it’s probably the most important thing to her.”
In fact, Linda was the key that unlocked the first gift to CHS—and subsequent gifts—from T. Denny Sanford, whose philanthropy has been transformational to CHS on many levels.
“Mom had the relationship with Mr. Sanford and was able to secure a large donation,” says David. “And, you know, that’s been one of her proudest accomplishments.”
“She went with Dennis Daugaard to talk to Denny,” says Rick. “Denny jokes that she’s one of his favorite pickpockets.”
Mark says, “She and Dennis will tell a great story about how they went to visit Denny. Later Denny called and said, ‘I’ve got some good news and some bad news. I’m going to give you a gift, but it’s not going to be the one million dollars that you asked me for. It’s going to be two million.’”
“And they had an event at the Holiday Inn that was the first public event where Denny, announced a charitable contribution. I remember that I attended it because my mom was so excited,” Mark adds.
Mark recalls a time when Linda had talked Denny into having a CHS fundraising event in Scottsdale, Arizona. “She would go down to Arizona in the winter,” Mark says. “She would sit at her kitchen table and open the Sioux Falls phone book—back when we had phone books—and just call people and invite them.”
It’s an exaggeration to say that Linda knew so many people that the city phone book was essentially her personal phone book. But not by much.
Giving feels good
CHS leaders and staff are profoundly grateful for Linda Mickelson Graham’s friendship. Her passion for
the mission and her strong leadership have enabled CHS to help transform the lives of more children and families.
“It was a big part of my mom’s life,” says David. “She’s so proud of the work that Children’s Home does and that she was able to be part of it.”
To this day, Linda cares deeply about CHS. “When we talk about it, she just tears up. Children’s Home means a lot to her,” says Mark.
CHS continues to have an extremely engaged and enthusiastic board of directors. The more involved people become—in our mission, our challenges, and in understanding how they are helping heal the people we serve—the more meaningful it becomes.
“It’s pretty rewarding when you can help make a difference for someone other than yourself,” says Mark.
David articulates Linda’s powerful legacy. “All of us have the ability to help make change that’s positive in our communities,” he says. “We have to try to help where we can.”