Fourth Generation

39. LaVern Mildred SIEKERT was born on 4 September 1923 in Wellington Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁶ She died on 26 February 2013 at the age of 89 in Elroy, Plymouth Township, Juneau County, WI.⁴⁶

Obituary Notes: "LaVern Mildred Zuhlke, has now joined her husband, Ruben and the rest of her family in our heavenly home. She passed away very peacefully at the age 89, on Feb. 26, 2013, at the Heritage Manor, Elroy.

She was born on Sept. 4, 1923, to Ernst R. and Linda (Baerwald) Siekert in the Town of Wellington, Monroe County. She was baptized on Oct. 7, 1923, at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church. She attended the Webb Grade School, walking through the woods to school with her neighborhood friends and her brothers and sisters. On Aug. 2, 1936, she was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, South Ridge. She lived with her Aunt Elsie Martin in Wilton to attend the Wilton High School.
On Aug. 6, 1941, LaVern married the love of her life and neighbor, Ruben Zuhlke. They had 51 years of life together, first on their farm in Cholvins Valley and then in Tomah. She was very proud that the Reverend Paul Monhardt officiated for all her religious ceremonies.

She started her professional career at Tillman’s Produce in Wilton, writing checks to pay farmers for their eggs. She also worked at Northern Engraving for a short time. LaVern began working at the Tomah V.A. Medical Center as a nursing assistance, retiring 35 years later. She then joined the Hospice team in Tomah, working as a volunteer. She devoted 17 years to helping others. She spent many hours sewing and making quilts for everyone. She always said she had to spend at least a part of each day sewing.

The joy of her life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was very proud that all of her grandchildren received their college degree. She especially loved holding the great-grandbabies for hours at a time. She lived her life to the fullest and enjoyed her last year on South Ridge living with her son and visiting former neighbors. She was a very kind and giving person and remained faithful to the Lord until He called her home.

Those left to treasure her many memories are her loving children, a son, Grayson Zuhlke of Kendall; two daughters, Sharon Saxby of Lodi and Karon (Arlyn) Baumgarten of Kenosha; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Sara) Saxby of Appleton, their son, Erik Saxby, Chris (Molly) Saxby of Waunakee, their children, Kelly, Laura and Michael, Candice (Tim) Nelson of Frisco, Texas, their children, Jonathan, Claire and Elise, Brenda (Steve) Dahl of Pleasant Prairie, their children, Tyler, Katelyn, Alyson, Heather (Richard) Sanchez M.D. of Noblesville, Ind., Shelina (Travis) Pamenter of Weiden, Germany, their children, Alexander, Zachery, Sara (Nathan) Kelly of Fredrick, Md., their children, Isabella, Aailyah; a sister, Caroline (Donald) Braund of Kendal; a brother, Harold (Susan) Siekert of Madison; two sisters-in-law, Elna “Babe” Witt of West Salem, and Corena Siekert of Tomah; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ruben; a son-in-law, Raymond Saxby; a brother, Martin Siekert; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed and Fae Zuhlke and Edna and Mailen Hoefs.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2013, at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge, Wis. Pastor Steven W. Neuman will officiate. Burial will be in the South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Kendall is assisting the family with arrangements."

.

LaVern Mildred SIEKERT and Reuben Adolph ZUHLKE were married on 6 August 1941.⁴⁶ Reuben Adolph ZUHLKE, son of August Gottlieb ZUHLKE and Ottillie Auguste ERDMANN, was born on 8 February 1919 in Monroe County, WI.³⁰ He died on 11 June 1992 at the age of 73 in Monroe County, WI.^31,47

LaVern Mildred SIEKERT and Reuben Adolph ZUHLKE had the following children: