Mildred Elsie Lee

MADISON-Mildred Elsie Lee, age 95, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on March 25, 1918 in Calumet, Michigan, to Michael and Matilda (Schenk) Stitgen. Mildred was eight years old when the family returned to Madison. She graduated from East High School in 1936, and briefly attended the University of Wisconsin and Madison Business College. Before her marriage, Mildred was employed at Rennebohm’s Drug Store and at National Guardian Life Insurance Company. She also worked for WPS from 1968 to 1983. Mildred married Gerhard B. Lee on June 16, 1948, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison. From 1949 to 1951, they lived in Brookings, South Dakota, where Gerhard served as Assistant Agronomist at South Dakota State University. They returned to Madison in 1951, and settled there permanently after Gerhard earned his Ph.D. and accepted a faculty position in the Soils Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Together, Mildred and Gerhard raised four daughters. Mildred was recognized as an accomplished cook, and enjoyed entertaining her family and extended family on holidays and other occasions. She also preserved the many vegetables and fruits Gerhard grew in the family garden and orchard. Mildred was a member of the same bridge club for over 50 years. She also enjoyed shopping, knitting, and visiting with family and friends. Mildred had the distinction of being the last remaining grandchild of Frederick and Wilhelmina Schenk, the founders of “Schenk’s Corners” on the East Side of Madison. An extensive interview with her appears on a DVD entitled “A Schenk-Huegel Family History.” She is survived by her four daughters, Susan (Jim) Conant of Fairfax Station, Va., Rebecca Lee (Jack Theel) of Madison, Nancy (Fred) Stratman of Middleton, and Judith Lee of Madison; and her grandchildren, Jennifer and Stephanie Conant, Abigail Lee, Nicholai, Carl and Lee (Kari) Stratman. Other survivors include several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Emeritus Professor Gerhard B. Lee in 2006; her brothers, Carlos and Robert Stitgen, and infant brother, Raymond. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2013, with the Rev. Mark Bartels presiding. Burial will be at Deerfield Lutheran Cemetery in Deerfield. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Memorials may be made to the UW Foundation Gerhard B. and Mildred Lee Scholarship Fund, Holy Cross Lutheran Church and the Dane County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 Cemetery: Burial will be at Deerfield Lutheran Cemetery in Deerfield. Memorials may be made to the UW Foundation Gerhard B. and Mildred Lee Scholarship Fund, Holy Cross Lutheran Church and the Dane County Humane Society. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2013, with the Rev. Mark Bartels presiding.