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Richard H. “Dick” Mielke Obituary – 05/10/08


Richard H. “Dick” Mielke, age 74, of Watertown, died Saturday, May 10, 2008, at St. Mary’s Senior Living Center in Winsted.

Dick was born Nov. 6, 1933, in Hamburg, the son of Edward and Marie (Segler) Mielke. He was baptized Nov. 19, 1933, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg by the Rev. H. Bouman; and confirmed March 21, 1948, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia by the Rev. Robert Heyne.

He graduated form Waconia High School, and served in the US Army from 1953 to 1956.

Dick was united in marriage to Janet S. Schrupp Dec. 2, 1956, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Watertown by the Rev. Louis Wetzel.

Dick worked for Suburban Chevrolet for five years, and 17 years at Waconia Ford as a mechanic.

He served as justice of the peace from 1962 to 1963.

An active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Watertown, Dick served as a trustee and usher.

He enjoyed garage sales, collecting antiques, and trading guns, and had a love for cars.

Dick was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa.

He was preceded in death by his son, Guy Edward Mielke; father and mother, Edward and Marie Segler-Hedtke Mielke; stepfather Clarence Hedtke; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Wilbur Schultz; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernest and Nora Schrupp; brothers-in-law Raymond, Loren and Donald Schrupp, and Robert Kickhafer; and sister-in-law Donna Schrupp.

Dick is survived by his loving family: wife Janet; daughters and sons-in-law, Suzanne and Dan Menth of St. Bonifacius, and Dawn and Mike Shanahan of Watertown; grandchildren Sarah Menth and Eric Menth of St. Bonifacius, and Brandon Shanahan and Tyler Shanahan of Watertown; and great-granddaughter Melia Lynn Menth.

He is further survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger “Bud” and Yvonne Mielke of Brooklyn Park, Verner and JoAnn Mielke of Norwood Young America, Robert and Diane Mielke of Lacey Wash., Gene and Olga Mielke of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Michael and Sylvia Hedtke of Prescott Valley Ariz.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marion and Gerald Almquist of New Hope, Alfred Schrupp of Hopkins, Joan Kickhafer of Longville, Ellen and Leo Waldack of Hopkins, Elton Schrupp of Longville, Dorothy “Dottie” Schrupp of St. Louis Park, LaVern Schrupp of Watertown, Aundrea Schrupp of Watertown and Adeline Gauthier of New Mexico; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.

A memorial service took place Sunday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Watertown with the Rev. Paul Krentz officiating. Visitation preceded the funeral service, beginning at 5 p.m. at the church. Interment was at Watertown Public Cemetery.

Arrangements were by the Johnson Funeral Home of Waconia. On-line guestbook at www. johnsonfh.com

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