Gerald “Bud” Mielke
Gerald “Bud” Mielke, 81, of Markesan, died peacefully at his home, his beloved farm, on Thursday, November 10, 2016.
Gerald was born July 27, 1935 at the Waupun Hospital the son of Emil and Helen Hansen Mielke. Gerald grew up on the family farm. In 1953 he graduated from Waupun High School and then joined the Wisconsin National Guard in Waupun and trained at Fort McCoy. On November 5, 1960 he married Rita Hoodie in Brandon and they moved onto the family farm. In 1961 he was called to Fort Lewis in Washington during the Berlin Crisis. He served in Company A, 2nd Battle Group, 127th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Division. After being honorably discharged from the National Guard, Gerald continued to farm. He loved farming and did so as long as he was able to get into a truck or tractor to help. Gerald survived Leukemia for 30 years. He enjoyed tractor shows, car shows, and traveling with Rita in later years.
Gerald is survived by his daughter, Annette (Peter) Schimming of rural Beaver Dam; a grandson, Jeremy (Jessica) Worm of rural Markesan; two step-grandsons: Nathan Schimming (fiancee Sierra Young) of Marinette, and Matthew (Diana) Schimming of Beaver Dam; six great-grandchildren: Jason Hattaway, Jalynn Worm, Jade Worm, Sophia Schimming, Zoe Schimming, and Adaline Schimming; three sisters-in-law: Virginia (Ginny) Robson of Sun Prairie, Regina “Jean” Burk of Waupun, and Susan Hoodie of Omro; a brother-in-law, Florian Zimdars of Ripon; and his very dear friends, Joe (Christy) Wollinger and their daughter, Callie, of Markesan.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, in 2014; his brother, Niles Mielke; his sister, Shirley Zimdars; and two brothers-in-law: Terry Burk and Harry Hoodie.
Funeral services for Gerald Mielke will be held Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 11 a.m. at County Line Lutheran Church in Markesan with Rev. Bruce Engebretson officiating. Burial will follow at Mackford Union Cemetery where the American Legion Post #210 of Waupun will provide military honors. Friends and relatives may call on the family on Wednesday at the Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun from 4-7 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
A special thank you to the staff at Beaver Dam Dialysis Center, Hillside Hospice and Homecare, Hillside Manor, and the staff at the Madison VA Hospital, especially nurse Jessica.
Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home of Waupun and staff are serving the family. Please visit our website at www.wernerharmsenfuneralhome.com for further information and to send condolences.