Brooklyn Park – Mitchell “Mitch” Dicken, of Brooklyn Park, passed away at his home on Saturday, May 18, 2024, with his loving family by his side, at the age of 65 following a courageous 15 year battle with cancer.
Mitchell Charles Dicken was born on August 25, 1958 to Charles Bo Dicken Jr and Patricia Ann (Zachar) Dicken in Fayetteville, NC during hurricane Hazel. He attended school at Knox Elementary, Franklin Middle School, and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. Mitch furthered his education at Northland Community College in Thief River Falls before graduating from the University of Minnesota- Minneapolis with a degree in Child Psychology.
Mitch was united in marriage to Julie Ann Vad on July 30, 1988 in a beautiful backyard along the river in Thief River Falls. The couple made their home in Brooklyn Park, where they proudly raised their three sons, Bryan, Craig and Alec.
While growing up, Mitch worked with his father and brother at the family business, Automatic Overhead Door Company. Following college, Mitch worked for many years at Volunteers Of America Bar None, a residential adolescent rehabilitation center, in the Twin Cities area. Mitch then entered the real estate appraisal business which he enjoyed for many years. For the past fifteen years, Mitch worked for TransDev starting as a Driver, quickly moving to Dispatcher, and then promoted to Road Supervisor until his retirement in September 2023.
Mitch enjoyed and played golf, hockey, football, baseball, and softball. He also enjoyed watching all the Minnesota sports teams, woodworking, was an excellent cook, and he most of all loved spending time with his two grandsons. He spent many years coaching youth hockey for the Brooklyn Park Pirates while his son, Alec, was playing. He was never afraid to try a project as he always seemed to have at least five projects going. Mitch had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. Spending time with loved ones at the family lake cabin on Lake-Of-The-Woods in Morson, Ontario, fishing for walleye and cooking shore lunches on Grandma’s Island were very precious to Mitch.
Mitch is survived by his wife, Julie; children, Bryan Ross Arveson, Craig Ross Arveson, Alec (Melanie) Zachary Dicken; grandchildren, Charles James Dicken and Zachary Michael Dicken; mother, Patricia (Bill Poole) Ann Dicken; siblings, Murray (Becky) Zach Dicken and Nathan (Kelsie) Edward Dicken; and countless nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Mitch is preceded in death by his father, Charles Bo Dicken; grandparents, Elmer and Beatrice Zachar, and Charles Sr. and Mabel Dicken.
Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, with Rev. Jonathan Dodson officiating. Burial followed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Visitation took place from 5–7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Prayer Service on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation also took place one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the church.
Condolences may be sent at johnsonfuneralservice.com.
A00003B2024MY29