Pamela Jean (Wintermote) Mickelson, 77, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on October 6, 2026.

Pam was born May 12, 1949, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the eldest daughter of Richard G. and Barbara J. (Lynch) Wintermote. She grew up in Dubuque and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School with the Class of 1967.

Pam worked for many years as a cosmetologist, a career she was proud of, and held a variety of other jobs throughout her life. But the role that mattered most to Pam was taking care of the people she loved. She raised three sons, Tommy, Erik and Leif, and devoted many years to caring for Tommy, who suffered a traumatic brain injury at birth. Much of the time she did so as a single mother, and her children remained at the center of her world throughout her life.

Pam was a caretaker through and through. If she loved you, she worried about you, fussed over you, called to check on you, reminded you of things you had almost certainly not forgotten, and made sure you knew about whatever she had just seen on the news. She was fiercely loyal, creative, loving, and happiest when she was doing something for somebody else. Family gatherings and holidays gave her an excuse to bring everyone together, which was exactly where she wanted them.

She loved to crochet and always seemed to have a catalog nearby, looking for something she thought one of her people might need or enjoy. Giving gifts was one of the many ways Pam showed her love.

In the summer of 2024, Pam moved to Stonehill Communities. Adjusting to a new routine took time, but she soon built a full life playing bingo and making friends. True to form last Christmas, she and her great-granddaughter, Bradleigh, made personalized magnet sets for every resident on her floor. It was a project that captured her spirit perfectly: she noticed people, thought about how she could make them happy, and then found a way to make it happen.

Above everything else, Pam loved being a mom and grandma. Her family was her greatest joy, and taking care of them was simply part of who she was. Her family will especially miss the phone calls they once teased her about getting four times a day.

Pam is survived by her sons, Tommy, Erik and Leif Mickelson; granddaughters, Chelsea (Brian) Jansen and Alidia Mickelson; granddaughter, Freya; grandsons, Arlo and Patrick Mickelson; great-grandchildren, Bradleigh and Greyson Jansen; her sister, Sandi (Jim) Griebel; sister-in-law, Tess Wintermote; along with numerous extended family, friends and neighbors. She also leaves behind dear friends, Holly Kamm and Gerilyn Becker, whose friendships meant a great deal to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Barbara Wintermote; her former husband and longtime friend, Tom Mickelson; her siblings, Ronald Wintermote and Marsha Chapman; and her dear friend, Linda Roscamp.

Pam will be cremated and laid to rest at Dubuque Memorial Gardens.

To honor Pam’s life, her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026,  from 1:00–3:30 p.m. at the Hafeman Veranda at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 3800 Arboretum Drive in Dubuque. Family, friends, and anyone whose life was touched by Pam are welcome to join us in fellowship, food and sharing of memories.

Online condolences for Pam’s family may be left at www.tristatecremationcenter.com