Lois Marguerite Mielke celebrated her 97th birthday on Friday, August 26th. On Tuesday, August 30th, she celebrated her 75th wedding anniversary. On Sunday, September 4th, she passed away, peacefully, at Season’s Hospice and Palliative Care in Waukesha.
She was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, grandmother to eight and a great grandmother to twelve!
Born in Waukesha in 1919, Lois was the youngest of four children born to Laura (nee Holt) and Arthur Trakel. Lois graduated from Waukesha High School in 1937 and attended Miss Brown's Business College in Milwaukee. She first worked at Hein-Werner in Milwaukee until her marriage to John H. Mielke in 1941. During WWII, Lois worked at Lee Larson Advertising.
With her life-long husband, John, family was their pride and joy. Four children; Linda Melham (and husband John) of Mechanicsburg, PA; Bill Mielke (and wife Barb) of Oconomowoc, WI; Cherry Finck (and husband Doug) of Brewer, ME; and Jill May (and husband Ron) of Waukesha, WI.
Lois was a dedicated and supportive mother who created happy childhoods for her four children. She served as a den mother in Cub Scouts, and a leader for Brownies, and Girl Scouts.
She was a former member of the Waukesha Women's Club, the Waukesha Service Club, the Main Stays (Pewaukee Yacht Club), Beacon Lights, the Waukesha Symphony Auxiliary as well as a member of bowling and golf leagues and bridge clubs.
Lois was a communicant of the First United Methodist Church in Waukesha, where her parents were active. Following her marriage, she and John were members of St. Matthias Episcopal Church. For the past 12 years, Lois and John have resided at Avalon Square and have attended Presbyterian services there.
Always gracious and welcoming, Lois enjoyed entertaining friends and family at their summer home on Pewaukee Lake or at their condo in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
During their "Golden Years," Lois and John traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, Africa, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. Highlights included a camel ride in Egypt, touring the great pyramids, and floating across the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. These trips, on which the Mielkes were joined by good friends, created some of their favorite memories.
Lois encouraged everyone to "live each day until the end so you leave good thoughts and good friends." And she followed and embraced her own advice.
Visitation will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 10th, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 noon at the Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Avenue, Waukesha. Reverend David Simmons will preside. A brief graveside service will take place for family only at Prairie Home Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Waukesha Service Club 1444 S. West Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186, or Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, WI 53186.