Richard Mielke

Richard Hugo Mielke, age 66, of Colby, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of Eau Pleine/March Rapids. Pastor Philip Wilde will preside. Burial will follow the service at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 9 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. A live stream will be available for those unable to attend on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page or after the service anytime on Facebook or the website.

Richard was born on October 11, 1956, in Marshfield, the son of Hugo and Mabel (Schultz) Mielke. He graduated from Colby High School in 1974 and graduated with honors from the University of WI-River Falls in 1978 with a degree in agricultural business.

He proudly worked alongside his father and later his brother on the family dairy and beef farm until he was admitted to the hospital. He was especially happy that his nephew, Adam, was continuing the family farm.

He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, March Rapids, and served as a church council treasurer for 12 years. He was an avid coin collector and trader, and thoroughly enjoyed participating in the church dart ball league for many years.

He loved all his nieces and nephews, and was very close to Adam, Melissa and Lindsey, whom he was able to see nearly every day as they were growing up.

Richard is survived by his brother, Daniel (Becky) Mielke; step-brother, Rev. William (Daphne) Viergutz of Burlington, Colo.; stepsisters: Rose (Bob) Denzin of Jonesboro, Ga., Janet Eggert of St. Louis, Mo., Susan (Robert) Gebel of Brookfield and Ruth (Dan) Hawk of Knoxville, Tenn. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Jeanne Mielke; sister-in-law, Michelle Mielke; and brother-in-law, Steve Eggert.

The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Friends may send online condolences to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com.

Paid obituary 132951