Mildred C. Meffert Schwab

Schwab, Mildred C. Meffert MIDDLETON Mildred Clara Schwab, age 97, died peacefully at the Attic Angel Health Center on Monday, March 17, 2008. Mildred was born at the family home on Highway 12, north of Middleton, on Dec. 1, 1910, to Mathias and Anna (Lenerz) Meffert. Mildred was the fourth of seven children and attended St. Peters School in Ashton, through the eighth grade. She began her career as a homemaker shortly after that, as she participated in the many activities associated with running the family farm in that era. After a courtship of several years, Mildred married Joseph G. Schwab of Middleton, on June 20, 1939, and Middleton was their home for the rest of their lives. Our Mother loved being a wife, mother of three, and later a grandmother of seven. Now there are even six great-grandchildren, with one more expected shortly. We believe Mom enjoyed her time in the kitchen, as that is where she excelled. Her meals were delicious and the cookies, bars, and various other desserts were enjoyed around the country, as the children and grandchildren scattered and "CARE packages" became legendary, with each cookie individually wrapped. She also spent many hours tending her vegetable and flower gardens, the bounties of which were incorporated into many of her meals. Mildred and Joe were able to enjoy 14 winters in a warmer climate after the closing of Schwab and Schwarz in Middleton, in 1974. Most of them were in Arizona, where she enjoyed ceramics and other retirement activities. In early 1999, Mildred was diagnosed with mid-stage Alzheimers, and moved from her home on Elmwood Avenue, where she and Joe had spent their married life. The staff at Woven Hearts, now Alterra Sterling House in Middleton, were the first group of individuals who lovingly cared for our Mother. In late 2002, Mother needed further assistance, and the wonderful and caring staff of Attic Angel Place have allowed Mothers final years to be as excellent as possible. Mildreds family is deeply grateful to the many individuals who have provided for her care during these years. Janet Fisher has served as a personal caregiver to our Mother for the past five years and to Janet, we owe our deepest gratitude for her loving care of our Mother. Mildred is survived by her children, Rosemary (Richard, deceased) Gall of Middleton, George (Leona Lauder) Schwab of Mill Valley, Calif., and Thomas (Michele) Schwab of Kihei, Hawaii; her grandchildren, Douglas (Monica) Gall, Kathleen (James) Kjorlie, Marcus Schwab, Mairead (Ben) Armitage, Jennifer (Bill) Schwartz, Elizabeth (August) Uhl, and Joseph (Kelley) Schwab; and great-grandchildren, Christopher and Lindsay Gall, Benjamin, Nicholas, and Russell Kjorlie, and Lance Schwartz. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph, on Nov. 10, 1987; and her siblings and their spouses, Emma (Anton) Karls, John (Lorraine) Meffert, Josephine (Clemens) Kalscheur, Ray (Florence) Meffert, Alfred (Hildegarde) Meffert, and Elaine (Allie) Adler. Funeral services for Mildred will be held at ST. BERNARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2008, with Monsignor Douglas Dushack presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.