Obit: Mielke, Michelle K. #2 (1961 - 2011)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Benedict, Eggert, Gebel, Hartman, Hawk, Kleven, Mielke, Syverson, Viergutz

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, March 16, 2011, page 13

Mielke, Michelle K. (Benedict) (September 10, 1961 - March 20, 2011)

Michelle K. Mielke (nee Benedict), age 49, of Colby, passed away March 20, 2011 at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, with her family by her side after a courageous year long battle with cancer.

Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2011, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of Eau Pleine/March Rapids. Pastor Doug Westenberg will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, March 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford, and on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Burial will follow the service at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Michelle was born September 10, 1961, to Edmund and LaKeta (Hartman) Benedict in Beloit.

She graduated from Joseph A. Craig High School in Janesville, and went on to graduate from UW-River Falls. Michelle was joined in marriage to Daniel Mielke in Beloit on August 21, 1982.

She was an Agriculture teacher for Eau Claire Memorial and Colby High School and later became a horticulture agent and family nutrition educator for the Marathon County UW Extension. Most recently, Michelle was the Regional Program Manager for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

Michelle was a leader for Cherokee Chums 4-H club and was a judge for various county fairs. Michelle was also an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday School teacher. Michelle was an avid scrapbooker and she enjoyed working in her flower garden, most of all she enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

She is lovingly survived by her husband; Daniel of Colby; children, Adam Mielke of the Town of Frankfort, Melissa Mielke of Colby, and Lindsey Mielke of Colby; her mother, LaKeta Benedict of Evansville; and her sister, Linda (Randy) Kleven and their children, Ashley (Rick) Syverson, Casey Kleven, Cody Kleven, of Janesville; and her brother, Mark (Kris) Benedict and their children, Colin Benedict and Evan Benedict of Evansville.

Michelle is further survived by her brother-in-laws, Richard Mielke of Colby and Bill (Daphne) Viergutz of Burlington, Colo.; and her sister-in-laws, Rose (Bob) Denzin of Atlanta, Ga., Janet (Steve) Eggert of St. Louis, Mo., Sue (Robert) Gebel of Milwaukee, and Ruth (Dan) Hawk of Knoxville, Tenn., and many more nieces and nephews

Michelle is preceded in death by her grandparents; her father, Edmund; and her brother, Michael Benedict.

The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Friends may send online condolences to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com