Helen Jean Mielke, age 91 of Woodville, WI, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024. Helen was born in Dazey, North Dakota on September 6, 1933, to parents Philip and Lulu (Knapp) Quick. At age 3, her family moved to Fosston, MN where she helped on the farm, was active in 4-H, and graduated from Fosston High School. She continued her education at Hamline University in St. Paul, where she forged lifelong friendships and earned her BS in Nursing.
Helen married John (Jack) Mielke on October 29, 1955, in St Paul. Together they were blessed with seven children. Helen worked as an RN at Miller Hospital in St Paul while starting her family before she and Jack moved to a fixer-upper farm outside of Woodville. A dedicated nurse, she began working at the Baldwin Hospital when her children were young and continued for 30 years, wearing many hats including Director of Nurses.
Helen’s compassion and care touched the lives of many colleagues and patients alike. She found joy in simple pleasures like walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, crossword puzzles, tending to her yard and gardens, outings with her Red Hats group, and playing bridge with friends. She enjoyed world travels, as evidenced by her numerous photo collections, and she and Jack spent retirement winters at their home in sunny San Tan Valley, Arizona.
Helen was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Wilson. After retiring, Helen continued to give back to her community through volunteering for ADRC. Helen took great pride in maintaining an immaculate home where the aroma of freshly baked bread and cookies filled the air. Her famous baked beans were anticipated at every large family gathering.
She is survived by her loving husband, John Mielke; children Patricia (Doug) Aspen, John (Mary Jane) Mielke, William Mielke, Rebecca (Rusty) Tuttle, Matthias Mielke, Jill (Bart) Germain, and Joy (Michael) Ostlie; grandchildren Wade Aspen, Daniel Aspen, Claire (Austin Delaney) Mielke, Alexandra (Dan) Klawitter, Jordan Mielke, Benjamin Mielke, Rachael (Jason) Raska, Kaitlyn (Alan) Braun, Eli Tuttle, Jonathan Mielke, Madalyn Mielke, Shayna (Steve) Alling, Ashton (David) Wicklund, Julian (Gina) Hannack, Beatrice Germain, Brett Germain, Ezra (April) Ostlie, and Emma Ostlie; 14 great grandchildren; brother Dean (Doris) Quick; sisters-in-laws Joyce Quick, Donna Lindstrom and Lois Barr; brother-in-law Darrel (Elaine) Mielke and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Philip and Lulu; siblings Mamora (Maurice) Hoover, Valera (Conrad) Bakke, Virgil Quick and other relatives and in-laws.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Wilson on November 18, 2024 at 11:00 am; visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at church.
Memorials are preferred to the family and will be shared with local charities.
