Gloria L. Mielke

Obituary

Gloria Lorraine Mielke was born on April 21, 1930, in rural Penn Township, Brownton MN,   the daughter of Herbert and Ella (Grewe) Wendlandt. Gloria was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Penn Township.  She attended School District #16-39 Country School in Penn Township and was a graduate of Brownton High School, Class of 1948.

On October 21, 1948, Gloria was united in marriage to Lester Mielke at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Penn Township.  Lester and Gloria had three children, Neil, Rhonda, and Connie. They made their home in rural Arlington where they operated a dairy/crop farm and eventually, they co-operated with their son Neil for many years until retirement in 1991 when they built a home and moved to Glencoe.  Sadly, they spent only two years together in that home until Lester passed away on September 2, 1993. Gloria continued to live there until moving to Grand Meadows Senior Living in Glencoe in August 2012. 

Over the years the couple traveled together to various locations throughout the country and Gloria continued to travel with friends after Lester’s passing.  Gloria liked to stay busy and volunteered at the nursing home, now known as Glenfields Living with Care. She was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Ladies Aid and enjoyed participating in making quilts for Lutheran World Relief.  She also made several quilts for her children and grandchildren as well as crocheted afghans and did embroidery.  She loved to bake and her grandchildren will fondly remember the molasses cookies that she baked for them.  She especially loved taking care of her yard and tending to her flower garden which she did without assistance until moving to Grand Meadows.  Her house was known as “the house on the corner with all of the beautiful flowers” and brought joy to many who passed by.  She also enjoyed playing bingo, and cards and listening to music, especially polkas and waltzes. 

Gloria passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Grand Meadows Senior Living in Glencoe at the age of 94 years.
Blessed be her memory.

Gloria is survived by her son, Neil (Lorraine) Mielke of Cologne, MN; daughters, Rhonda Bonderson of Bastrop, TX, and Connie (Dave) Beneke of Victoria, MN; grandchildren, Darin (Angie) Mielke, Dawn Strief, Brett (Trish) Mielke, Troy Bonderson, Tracy Bonderson, Tiffany (Andy) Wrobleski, and Tyler (Stephani) Bonderson; great-grandchildren, Chase Mielke, Annika Mielke, Emily Strief, Evan Strief, Gaby Mielke, Lexi Mielke, Devon Bonderson, Austin Bonderson, Marissa Bonderson, Kylie Schwartz, Lexi Wrobleski, Ryker Wrobleski, and Brooklyn Bonderson; great-great-grandchildren, Kole Strange, Tucker Strange, and Archer Bonderson; her life-long friend, Geraldine Bergs; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Gloria is preceded in death by her husband, Lester; parents, Herbert and Ella Wendlandt; parents-in-law, Edward and Alvina Mielke; brother, Harlan Wendlandt and wife Ruth; brothers-in-law, Alvin Mielke and wife Rosella, Norman Mielke and wife Glenna; sister-in-law, Clara Scharpe and husband Herbert.