Patricia Mielke, 92, of Brookfield, Wisconsin, formerly of Wauwatosa, entered God’s Kingdom peacefully on October 11, 2022. Faithful wife to Carl Mielke, devoted mother to five children: Tim (Patty) Miller, Greg (Jenifer) Mielke, Steve (Ruth) Mielke, Kim (Tom) Schubert, and David (Kim) Mielke, and 9 grandchildren: Katharin (Mark) Watson, David (Michelle) Miller, Mary (Chad) Shaw, Sarah (Sean) Crain, Jack Mielke, Sam Mielke, Tommy Schubert, Max Mielke, and Andy Schubert, and 8 great-grandchildren: Luke and Zachary Watson, Emily, Preston and Ashley Miller, Louis LaBouve, Kaydn and Kiera Shaw and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, her sister, Dolores, and her beloved brother, John.
She began her life journey on September 8, 1930, in Milwaukee, the "baby in the family” to the late John and Edna Promersperger. After being smitten by the handsome Carl Mielke (and looking to drop syllables from her last name), she and Carl were married and settled in Wauwatosa. It was there that they raised their rambunctious tribe, adding, at intervals, four foster girls and dogs, fish and a guinea pig to the hubbub of family life.
Pat was a devoted mother and homemaker, who enjoyed cooking and excelled at baking. Her cakes, shaped and decorated in various forms (teddybear, butterfly, snowman) were legendary. She managed the ordinary, day-to-day kid stuff, like ER visits to remove lodged crayons from pediatric nasal passages, but loved to plan the extraordinary, arranging special celebrations around birthdays, holidays and other life events. Her joy for hospitality in her home was evident.
Pat was active in the school PTA, boy/girl scout leadership for her children, Women of St. Coletta’s and the Christian Women of Saint Sebastion's parish. Her faith life was a consistent and important theme for her for the whole of her life, introducing religion and Sunday church to her children as soon as they were born. To this day, her children undoubtedly will not rest a derrière on the pew when kneeling and will not speak loudly in church, for fear of “the look.”
Pat had many dear friendships, some spanning a half a century. She embraced being social with others and routinely engaged with friends through card playing (sheep’s head and poker.) She loved to gamble, traveling with friends on many gambling junkets and frequently playing Black Jack at Potawatomi. (She claimed to be a “lucky person” relative to time spent in a casino; this was never verified, but it was evident that she had a lot of fun trying her luck!) She was quick with a smile and a laugh and quick to offer her opinion, at times forgetting to consider the use of a filter. Her boundless Battery Bunny energy and resultant busy schedule rivaled peers twenty years her junior. She loved a good party, a good dance and a good beer!
Of greatest importance to Pat was being with the people she loved the most. She had a heart of gold and all in her sphere knew it. Pat was deeply loved by her family and friends, her presence will be missed by all.
A visitation will be held at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home at 10121 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI, on Saturday, October 22nd from 10 a.m. to noon with a brief service to follow. Fellowship and luncheon to follow at Alioto’s Restaurant.
The burial will be held privately at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The family wishes to recognize those special caregivers at Azura Memory Care of Brookfield for their gifts of TLC in their care of our Mom.