Obit: Mechelke, Violet O.P. (1926 - 2013)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Mechelke, Burgess, Amundson, Becker, Miller, Nelson, Ambelang, Jondle, Seagren

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 03 May 2013

Mechelke, Violet O.P. (2 OCT 1926 - 1 MAY 2013)

Violet "Vi" O. P. Mechelke, age 86, of Loyal, died on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013. at York Center United Methodist Church. Rev. Patsy Roe will officiate and burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Doug Becker, Corey Miller, Shawn Miller, Jason Mechelke, Shannon Nelson and Harley Ambelang. Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until service.

Violet Olga Pauline Burgess was born on October 3, 1926, in Tony, WI, the daughter of James and Olga (Amundson) Burgess. She was raised and received her education in the Tony area, graduating from Tony High School in 1947. After high school, Vi moved to Milwaukee for a short time and then returned to Tony. She was united in marriage to Warren A. "Duke" Mechelke on June 30, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Ladysmith. They lived in Ladysmith for 3 years before moving to the state of Washington for one year. They returned to Ladysmith and resided there until purchasing a farm in Loyal, in September of 1958, where she farmed with her husband and raised their family. Vi also worked other jobs, including, a writer for the TRG newspaper "Take 5 with Vi", Weinbrenner Shoe Factory, Figi's and the Star Lodge Motel. After retiring from farming, they continued to live on the farm until the present time.

Vi was a member of York Center United Methodist Church and its' UMW; a member of the Clark County Homemakers, formerly a member of the Clark County Choraliers; started the Jolly Workers 4-H Club that she was involved with for 18 years; was a member of the Circle 8 Square Dancers; and was a Sunshine Girl.

She had many interests, but especially loved writing, where she was and accomplished writer and published 2 books, The Woodshed and The Way Home; reading, playing dartball, music and singing.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, Duke, of Loyal; her children: Bonnie (Jerome) Becker of Marshfield; Jack (Barbara) Mechelke of Loyal; Arlene (Marvin) Miller of Loyal; James Mechelke (Dawn Lagasse) of Loyal; 8 grandchildren, Doug Becker, Karen (Shannon) Nelson, Kim (Harley) Ambelang, Amy Mechelke, Jason (Katie) Mechelke, Jodi (Travis) Applegate, Corey (Nik) Miller and Shawn Miller; 9 great grandchildren, Alyssa, Brooklyn, Rendon, Ridge, Desirae, Teanna, Sawyer, Velda and Violet; and one sister, Martha Jondle of Shellsburg, IA.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, Luke Miller; one brother, Leo Burgess; and one sister, Hazel Seagren.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.