Obit: Mechelke, Violet O.P. #2 (1926 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Mechelke, Amundson, Burgess, Becker, Miller, LaGasse, Nelson, Ambelang, Applegate, Jondle, Seagren, Roe

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/8/2013

Mechelke, Violet ‘Vi’ Olga Pauline (3 October 1926 - 1 May 2013)

Violet ‘Vi’ O. P. Mechelke, 86, of Loyal died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Violet Olga Pauline Burgess was born Oct. 3, 1926, in tony, the daughter of James and Olga (Amundson) Burgess. She was raised and received her education in the Tony area, graduating from Tony High School in 1947. After high school, Vi moved to Milwaukee for a short time and then returned to Tony. She was united in marriage to Warren A. ‘Duke’ Mechelke June 30, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Ladysmith. They lived in Ladysmith for three years before moving to the state of Washington for one year. They returned to Ladysmith and resided there until purchasing a farm in Loyal in September of 1958, where she farmed with her husband and raised their family. Vi also worked other jobs, including a writer for the TRG newspaper of “Take 5 with Vi,” Weinbrenner Shoe Factory, Figi’s and the Star Lodge Motel. After retiring from farming, they continued to live on the farm until the present time.

Vi was a member of York Center United Methodist Church and its UMW; a member of the Clark County Homemakers; formerly a member of the Clark County Choraliers; started the Jolly Workers 4-H Club she was involved with for 18 years; a member of the Circle 8 Square Dancers; and was a Sunshine Girl.

She had many interests but especially loved writing, being an accomplished writer with two books published, “The Woodshed” and “The Way Home;” reading playing dart ball, music and singing.

She will be dearly missed by her husband Duke of Loyal; her children, Bonnie (Jerome) Becker of Marshfield, Jack (Barbara) Mechelke of Loyal, Arlene (Marvin) Miller of Loyal; James Mechelke (Dawn LaGasse) of Loyal; eight grandchildren, Doug Becker, Karen (Shannon) Nelson, Kim (Harley) Ambelang, Amy Mechelke, Jason (Katie) Mechelke, Jodi (Travis) Applegate, Corey (Nik) Miller and Shawn Miller; nine great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Brooklyn, Rendon, Ridge, Desirae, Teanna, Sawyer, Velda and Violet and one sister, Martha Jondle of Shellsburg, IA.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, Luke Miller; one brother, Leo Burgess; and one sister, Hazel Seagren.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at York Center United Methodist Church, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Patsy Roe officiated, and burial followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Doug Becker, Corey Miller, Shawn Miller, Jason Mechelke, Shannon Nelson and Harley Ambelang.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home of Loyal assisted the family with funeral arrangements.