Kenneth O. Mielke

Kenneth O. Mielke, age 79 of the Township of Grant, Shawano County, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Care Partners Assisted Living, Clintonville.

Kenneth “Ken”/”Uncle Kenny” Otto Mielke, was born October 27, 1941 in the Township of Grant, son to the late Hugo O. Sr. & Meta O. (Watters) Mielke. He attended McKinley School, a one-room schoolhouse, later attending and graduating from Marion High School in 1959. Ken was a life-long active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marion where he was baptized November 16, 1941 and confirmed April 3, 1955; he also enjoyed being a part of Luther League when he was young. He was active with the F.F.A. throughout his formative years. After high school, Ken worked at a local feed mill for a short time, while farming with his family in the Town of Grant. In 1978, he and his brothers, Dennis and Hugo Jr., took over the family dairy farm and established Mielke Way Farms Inc. In conjunction with the dairy farm, Ken was also the Renk Seed Dealer in the area ever since he was 18 years old. They sold the cows in 2002, but Ken never really retired and was still involved in his family’s farming operation in most aspects. At church, Ken was on the finance committee, ushered for many years, and helped with many projects. He loved playing cards, especially Sheephead, and dart ball at church. Ken liked to bowl in his younger years on league with his “Renk Kernels” Team. He enjoyed watching the Packers, Badgers, and taking Brewer’s baseball bus trips; Ken also rarely missed local softball games. He always knew everything that went on in the community and he had such a sharp memory that he could remember every family member’s birthday and often sent cards or gifts. Ken will be remembered as kind-hearted, thoughtful, easy going, and gentle.

He is survived by:
Siblings: Donald Mielke, Karen (Mark) Moderson Sr., & Dennis Mielke
Beloved nieces & nephews: Mark Mielke, Ann (Scott) Arndt, Daniel (Kimberly Weiberg) Mielke, Timothy (Theresa) Mielke, Rebecca (Lyman) Jacobs, Beth (Ken) Zorn, Mark (Carman) Moderson Jr., Todd Moderson, Kim (Ben) Lee, Jay (Megan) Moderson, Rachael (Clifford Kaquatosh) Mielke, Ashley (Dale) Maass, Sarah (Matt) Jensen, & Nick Mielke
Many great & great-great nieces & nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Hugo Mielke Jr., siblings, Carol & Danny Mielke, in infancy; & and a sister-in-law, Shirley Mielke.   

A private funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marion with the Rev. Sara Gorman officiating. Interment will also take place privately at Greenleaf Cemetery, Marion. 

The family would like to thank Care Partners Assisted Living, Compassus Hospice, and anyone who had the opportunity to visit Ken in the last couple years. 

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Marion is assisting the Mielke family.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.