Obit: Brill, Mildred M. (1921 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Baines, Bergs, Brill, Brill-Schmitz, Heindl, Lang, Metz

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 12/03/2014

Brill, Mildred M. (Bergs) (7 JAN 1921 - 11 NOV 2014)

Mildred M. Brill, 93, Marathon, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

She was born January 7, 1921, in Poniatowski, daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Metz) Bergs. Mildred was valedictorian of her class at Edgar High School and attended business college in Wausau. She proudly served in the Marine Corps. Her service included assisting troops to return home after their service in World War II. She married Roger J. Brill on July 24, 1946. She and Roger partnered to run Brill’s IGA in Marathon for 40 years.

Mildred’s first love was her family. She once submitted a recipe to a cookbook with the note: “This is for a large family.” She was an advocate for people with disabilities and was a delegate to the national convention that led to the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Marathon, the Third Order of St. Francis, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the National Society of Foresters, the American Legion, the Parish Council of Catholic Women, and various civic organizations. She and Roger were named “business persons” of the year for Marathon City.

She is survived by her children, Jeanne (Denis) Lang of Wausau, Dr. Ann M. Brill-Schmitz of Lawrence, Kan., Margaret (Anthony) Lang of Oshkosh, Bernie (Larry) Heindl of Marathon, Donna (Chris) Baines of Windisch, Switzerland, and Dr. John (Mary) Brill of New Berlin; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Viola Godina of California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roger, in 1995; children, Gary and Elaine; son-in-law, Larry Schmitz; brothers, Wilfred, Victor and Robert Bergs; and infant sister, Bernice Bergs.

Funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon, with burial in the church cemetery. Helke Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Mary’s School of Marathon (716 Market St., Marathon, WI 54448), the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Wisconsin (www.Nationalmssociety.org/chapters/WIG/donate), or the Brill-Schmitz fund at the University of Kansas (www.kuendowment.org).

You may sign our family guest book at www.Helke.com.