Dale M. Mielke

Photo/Flag Mielke, Dale M. DEERFIELD-Dale M. Mielke, age 85, of Deerfield, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at the HospiceCare Center. He was born on Dec. 31, 1922, in Omaha, Neb., the son of Leonard and Lillian (Petricka) Mielke. Dale married Mildred Chadwell on Feb. 12, 1944, in San Diego, Calif. They were married for 63 years, were avid golfers and bird lovers, were the best of friends, found amusement to share every day, and she remained the love of his life until the day he died. During World War II, Dale served four patrols in the Navy as Quartermaster on the USS Parche SS384 submarine. Even though at war, he had many fond memories of his time spent in the Navy. The Parches conning tower, the actual station where Dale performed his duties, is on display at the Bowfin Museum and Park in Pearl Harbor. He proudly visited it last year and to his familys delight he was treated like royalty. Dale was a teacher and coach in the 1950s in Wahoo, Neb. and Corning, Iowa. He became a guidance counselor and was among the first school counselors in the country. Dale moved his family to Madison, Wisconsin in 1960 and spent the remainder of his career here at Monona Grove, Madison East, and finally Madison LaFollette High Schools. Upon early retirement Dale took up genealogy. All he had to start with was an aunts shoe box, which to him was an absolute treasure. From there he and Mildred traveled the country searching for clues. They amassed volumes of information on their ancestors. They leave quite a legacy for all our families. He is survived by daughters, Janice (Mark) Weitzel, Terri (Jim) Curtis, and Cheryl (Tom) Retzlaff; a son, Ron Mielke; and grandchildren, Timothy and Carilyn Weitzel, Lindsay (Shaun) Cunningham, Jeremy Curtis, Max and Jackson Retzlaff, and Ashley and Bryan Mielke. Dale was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and a brother, Merle Mielke Sr. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, with Commander Joel Merriman, US Navy, presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens, with military rites conducted. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. or a veterans organization of your choice. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of St. Marys Congestive Heart Failure Clinic and the staff at Peter and Ellen Johnson HospiceCare Center. Dale will be remembered mostly for his great sense of humor, hard work and his love of animals. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and human being. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all who knew him. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com