Belinda Jo Lane

Belinda “Jo” (Mickelson) Lane, age 68, originally from Menomonie, WI, lost her battle against colon cancer on Tuesday, February 27th, in Dewey, AZ.   Born August 1st, 1949 in Eau Claire, WI to Stanley and Allene (Scheidecker) Mickelson, Jo graduated from Menomonie High School in 1967.  She immediately enrolled in the University of Wisconsin – Stout obtaining her Bachelor degree in Psychology with a minor in English and Master’s in Vocational Rehabilitation/Work Evaluation. On April 6, 1968, Jo married her lifelong love, Steve Lane.  Together, in 1973 they moved to the Oregon coast spending 18 years there raising their daughter, Kimberli and working in North Bend school district.   In 1991, Jo and Steve moved to the Rogue Valley area where Jo finished her education career.  She spent 32 years in education before retiring in 2003.  While she taught English, U.S. History, and Career Counseling classes, her passion was being a counselor.  She loved listening to students share their stories and helping them find the inspiration to take their next steps.   Finally, in 2011, Jo and Steve were ready for the warmth of the desert.  They moved to Arizona where they have lived ever since. During her lifetime, Jo loved doing many things with Steve.  Together they travelled, gardened, hunted, fished, and remodeled/built homes.  Their adventures also included canoeing, mining, and exploring the desert.   Jo is survived by her beloved husband, Steve Lane, brother, Ron (Sally) Mickelson, daughter, Kimberli (Dan) Kuljian, and grandchildren, Erica and Peter McLean.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Ruffner-Wakelin Funeral Homes and Crematory Bradshaw Chapel assisted the Family with Arrangements, please log on to www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign the online guestbook and share a memory.