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 Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at Heritage Manor in Elroy. She was born Sept. 4, 1923, to Ernst R. and Linda (Baerwald) Siekert in the town of Wellington, Monroe County. She was baptized Oct. 7, 1923, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. She attended Webb Grade School, walking through the woods to school with her neighborhood friends and her brothers and sisters.
On Aug. 2, 1936, was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge. She lived with her Aunt Elsie Martin in Wilton to attend 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 Rev. Paul Monhardt officiated for all of 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 Veterans Administration 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 part of each day sewing.
The joy of her life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, keeping track of what they were all doing through the years. She especially loved holding the great-grandbabies for hours at a time. She lived her life to the fullest and enjoying 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, and two daughters, Sharon (Raymond) Saxby of Lodi, Wis., and Karon (Arlyn) Baumgarten of Kenosha, Wis.; her grandchildren, Jeffrey (Sara) Saxby of Appleton, and their son, Erik Saxby, Chris (Molly) Saxby of Waunakee, Wis., and their children, Kelly, Laura and Michael, Candice (Tim) Nelson of Frisco, Texas, and their children, Jonathan, Claire and Elise, Brenda (Steve) Dahl of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and their children, Tyler, Katelyn, Alyson, Heather (Richard) Sanchez M.D. of Noblesville, Ind., Shelina (Travis) Pamenter of Weiden, Germany, and their children, Alexandria and Zachery, and Sara (Nathan) Kelly of Fredrick, Md., and their children, Isabella and Aailyah; a sister, Caroline (Donald) Braund of Kendall; a brother, Harold (Susan) Siekert of Madison; two sisters-in-law, Elna “Babe” Witt of West Salem and Corena Siekert of Tomah; and 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; and her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ed and Fae Zuhlke and Edna and Mailen Heofs.
A funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge. Pastor Steven W. Neuman will officiate. Burial will be in the South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
