Graveside services for Helen D. Mielke were held Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at Harrison Township Cemetery in rural May City. Pastor Christopher Nitzel officiated. Warner Funeral Home in Spencer assisted with the arrangements.

Helen Dorothy Mielke, the daughter of Albert and Alice (Grotefeld) Koechert, was born April 17, 1920 in rural Everly. Her childhood years were spent in Everly where she received her education, graduating from Everly Consolidated High School in 1938. She continued her education by attending the Methodist School of Nursing, graduating in 1941 and receiving her Registered Nursing degree.

Helen married Ervin J. Mielke at her parents’ home in Clay County on Jan. 16, 1944. After their marriage, they farmed in Dickinson County for 29 years. They moved into the town of Hartley in 1973, where she continued her nursing at the Hartley hospital for 20 years until her retirement. She was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran’s Church in Hartley, where she was a member of the Altar Guild. Helen was also a past member of the Business & Professional Women’s Club, Federated Club, the Friday Club and the Ladies Aid.

She passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at the age of 100 years, nine months and four days. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin, in 1998; an infant brother, Robert Koechert; and a brother, Orville Koechert.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: daughter, Mardelle Knudsen, of Mesa, Ariz.; grandson, Karl, who is in active service in the Army; granddaughter, Kris (Knudsen) McChesney, who died five years ago, and great-grandchild, Tanner McChesney; daughter, Janice (Olumayokun) Olawoye; grandchild: Tokunbo (Michelle) Olawoye; and great-grandchildren: Sade and Tunde; grandchild: Boye (Lamide) Olawoye; and great-grandchildren: Demilade and Ariloa; grandchild: Laolu (Jane) Olawoye; and great-grandchildren: Christian and Janice; and grandchild, Lakunle (Aile) Olawoye; son, Rev. Jerry (Ingrid) Mielke, of Indianapolis, Ind.; grandchild, Philip (Jessi) Mielke; great-grandchildren: Adelaide, Josephine and Liam; grandchild, Adam (Angel) Mielke; and great-grandchild, Dean; step grandkids: Tonya Bullock and Meredith (Brad) Raben; and great-grandkids: Nathan, Maggie and Carter; granddaughter, Sarah (Chris) McKinley; and great-grandchild, Hannah; a sister, Ethel (Marvin) Schmidt, of Hartley; other relatives and friends.