Ervin James Mieden (Erv), born May 20, 1931, died peacefully in his sleep April 6, 2016, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison after a long illness.
Erv was born on the family farm outside of Kendall to German immigrants Peter and Emma (Preuss) Mieden. The Korean conflict was astir, and he left home with friends after graduation in 1951 to serve in the Army. After being released from the Army in early 1952, he came to Madison to reunite with his high school sweetheart, Eleanora Sartori. They married in 1952, raising seven well-rounded children and fostering two teenagers during their time on the farm.
Erv worked for General Motors in Janesville for a time in 1953, during which he realized he would be happier farming and being his own boss. Always a hands-on man, he was happiest in his workshop or when hunting. Playing cards was a favorite indoor pastime, especially 500 and euchre.
In 1979, the family moved to northern Wisconsin to their dream home on a beautiful lake, which provided many memories for family and friends. Following their time at the lake, they settled in Barneveld, Wis., near the iconic water tower that had withstood the 1984 tornado.
After divorcing in 1986, Dad, always a survivor, moved on and did a variety of jobs, eventually retiring after working 10 years for Certco, where he delivered groceries. Erv found happiness with his long-time companion Jewell and moved to Muscoda, Wis., for the rest of his life. Together he and Jewell hosted many happy family cookouts every year on or near his birthday.
Erv is survived by his children, Paul (Laura Mae), Patricia Mieden (Kathryn), Gail Endres, Mary Parks (Richard), Emma Harris and Laura Vorpahl (Mike); a daughter-in-law, Karla (Michael); 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, Lloyd Mieden (Marion); a sister-in-law, Ginger (John); his companion, Jewell Galantine of La Crosse; his former wife, Eleanora Revels of Mount Horeb, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
Erv was preceded in death by his eldest son, Michael (Karla); his parents, Peter and Emma; a sister, Evaline (Ferd Lueck); and three brothers, Robert (Donna), Carl (Helen) and John (Ginger).
Our family’s appreciation goes out to all of Erv’s caregivers and neighbors who saw to his needs at home, especially the Upland Hills Visiting Nurse Services and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers drivers of Richland County. Also, thanks to the Richland Center renal unit and to Dr. Matt LaConte of the palliative care unit at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison, as well as the VA hospice unit for the caring final veterans’ tribute.
Memorial services will be hosted by his children from 3–7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at the Godager Pratt Funeral Home, 710 N. Wisconsin Ave., Muscoda, Wis. The website is www.prattfuneralservice.com.
Funeral services will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 307 Spring St., Kendall, at 11 a.m. the following day, May 21. Inurnment of ashes will follow at Glendale Cemetery, which is adjacent to the church. A reception will be immediately after at the Grain House, 208 W. South Railroad St. in Kendall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be written to “The Family of Ervin Mieden” for a memorial to be shared with Victora Riverside Park in Muscoda and the Barneveld American Legion Hall, of which Erv was a 30-year member.
