Surnames: Budimilija, Metzger, Mielke, Warner

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, November 17, 2011, online edition

Mielke, Lois Elnora (Warner) (April 17, 1938 - November 12, 2011)

Lois Elnora Mielke, nee Warner, ran to the arms of Jesus on November 12, 2011, at home, with her husband of 50 years and family by her side.

Lois was born Easter Sunday, April 17, 1938. Her mother, Fern, decided not to call her Bunny, but instead named her daughter Lois. She is the fifth of six children born to the late Ora and Fern Warner who were early settlers of Jump River. The family worked their farm and Ora worked for the local logging company.

The Warner family moved from Jump River to Rib Lake where Lois attended the Rib Lake school system and graduated high school in 1957.

After graduation she moved to Marshfield where she was employed by the Marshfield Clinic. While still in Marshfield, Lois met and married Allen C. Mielke of Rib Lake on September 16, 1961.

After their marriage, the couple moved to Antioch, Ill., and had two children, Tracey A. Mielke of Mosinee and Michael K. (Sherri) Mielke of Twin Lakes.

Lois retired after 24 years of dedicated service as the resident supervisor for the Lake County Illinois Nursing Home. She so enjoyed singing in the community choir, volunteering at the Lake County Forest Preserve as a naturalist, volunteering many hours with children at the Antioch Community Grade School, and also attended the Lake County Illinois Community College for a degree in business.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents, Fern and Ora Warner, and brothers, Dwayne, Doyle and Rodney Warner.

With surviving siblings, Patti (Jack) Budimilija and Kenny (Holly) Warner and Rita Warner.

There are many nieces and nephews who gave her such fond memories. She loved spending time with her son, Michael, his wife, Sherri, and their children, Autumn and Willow and Felicia and Jessica; granddaughter, Melissa Metzger and great-granddaughter, Sariah; son, Tracey, his children, Rebecca, Ryan, Ben and Hunter, who filled many of her days with joy. Lois greatly appreciated her childhood friends that remained close to her throughout the years. Also the friends that she has grown close to in more recent years.

Much of Lois's artwork is displayed at home as well as in the art gallery of the College of Lake County, which we all are so proud of and love to listen to the stories behind each picture.

Oh how Lois enjoyed her kitties, Max and Violet, and also a good game of cards and cribbage. Her competitive, loving spirit will be missed dearly by all who know and love her.

At Lois's request, there will be no services. She would like kind donations made to the Wildlife in Need Center located at W349 S. 1480 S. Waterville Road, Suite B, Oconomowoc, Wis., telephone 262-965-3090. Sherri is a volunteer there and Lois would like to help them continue to take care of our wild friends in need.