Joan Donaldson Robb Mickelson passed away peacefully with her children by her side on Monday, March 22, 2010, as the result of a stroke. She was born in Minnesota on Feb. 3, 1927, but always celebrated her birthday on Valentine's Day.
Joan primarily attended Northrop Collegiate School in Minneapolis and graduated from Southwest High School in 1945. She attended the University of Minnesota and the New York School of Interior Design where she exhibited her natural talent for design. A lifelong athlete, Joan was an accomplished equestrian, swimmer and sailor, belonging to the Minnetonka Yacht Club for many years. She was also a member of the Junior League of Minneapolis.
Joan married Selden T. Robb in 1949, and moved to Edina, Minn., where they raised four active children. They were later divorced. She loved to ski, and after numerous visits relocated to Sun Valley, Idaho, in 1980. There she married Robert E. Mickelson on Valentine's Day, 1983, in a ceremony conducted on Sun Valley's Bald Mountain. She often skied more than 180 days a year, competing in Nastar and Pro-Am ski racing well into her 60s. One of her proudest moments was being awarded the Three Star Pin by the Sun Valley Ski Association. Eventually, she traded winter recreation for a return to tennis and golf. Bob and Joanie traveled the world, fulfilling her lifelong dream. They wintered for a number of years in Palm Springs, Calif., where they continued to lead active lives. They enjoyed dinner with friends as well as attending and hosting parties. Joanie was famous for her cooking talents, both quality and quantity!
Joan is survived by her loving husband, Robert E. Mickelson of Sun Valley; daughter, Jodie Robb of Gooding, Idaho; sons, Tom Robb (Helen) of Tonka Bay, Minn., Don Robb (Virginia) of Los Angeles, and John Robb of Duluth, Minn.; as well as her two stepchildren, Marc Mickelson of Bellevue, Idaho, and Heidi Mickelson (Danny) of Ketchum, Idaho. Joan was blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Scott Donaldson (Vivian), Bruce Sandberg (Cindy) and Susan Sandberg Garrett.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Frank A. Donaldson Sr. and Ruth Chase Donaldson; her brother Frank A. Donaldson Jr.; her first husband, Selden T. Robb, and the couple who loved her as a daughter, Al Sandberg and Elma Sandberg Hall Tompkins.
A celebration of Joan's life is planned from 1-3 p.m., April 17, at the Ram restaurant in Sun Valley. Attire is casual, stories and laughter are welcome. Joan's family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mountain Rides in Ketchum, any Hospice organization, or the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
