Vernet Helen Marie Mielke

Vernet Helen Marie Mielke, age 86 of Menno passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Freeman Regional Health Services, Freeman, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Menno, SD with Rev. David Ellis officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery. Visitations will be 4-8 PM, Monday, April 29, 2013 at the Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are: Brian Mielke, Tom Mielke, David Mielke, Bret Mielke, Bruce Anderson, Tim Anderson, Cade Anderson, and Roger Simonsen.

Vernet Helen Marie Bartling was born in rural Hutchinson County near Milltown, SD on February 2, 1927 to Leonard and Alice (Roth) Bartling. She was baptized March 6, 1927 at Unity Lutheran Church near Clayton, SD, her baptismal sponsors were Henry Zanter and Lydia Roth. In 1935, she moved to Menno with her family. She was confirmed on June 30, 1940 at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno. She attended grade school in Menno, graduating from Menno High School in 1944. After graduation, she continued her education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and graduated with an elementary education degree.

On June 8, 1947 Vernet married Lester "Moon" Mielke at Grace Lutheran Church. They had two sons, Gary and Don. Vernet was a long time educator, teaching in several rural schools and Menno Public School. At the completion of her career she had taught for 37 years. Her love for teaching and working with the children showed throughout her life. She also enjoyed attending many athletic events in which her sons participated, adding to her role as mother and teacher.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Menno Education Association, and American Legion Auxiliary in which she held various offices. During her retirement, her days were filled with visiting family, taking bus trips with friends, doing volunteer work in the community, reading and making quilts with the ladies at Immanuel Lutheran. Due to failing health, Vernet entered the Menno-Olivet Care Center in March of 2010 and resided there until April of 2013.

She is survived by sons, Gary (Bev) Mielke of Lake Park, MN and Don (Karla) Mielke of Windsor, CO; four grandsons: Brian (Erica) of Weymouth, MA, Tom (Kim) of Eagan, MN, David (Dana) of Erie, CO and Bret of Broomfield, CO; an aunt, Marion Roth of Menno, SD; niece, Cheryl (Bruce) Anderson of Menno, SD and two nephews, Craig Bartling of Pierre, SD and Danny (Sally) Mielke of La Grande, OR.