Bertha Mielke

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Bertha Alvine Mielke, at the age of 99 years on Saturday, January 7, 2023. She had celebrated 100 Christmases.

She was born May 22, 1923 in a hamlet called Strathcona, which is now known as Edmonton, Alberta. Parents, Jacob and Magdalena Hausauer immigrated to Canada from North Dakota in 1911 by wagon and oxen. In 1916, a move was made to Fox Valley, SK where the family took up a homestead. From there a move to Dummar, SK where her dad passed away in December of 1925 at age 40. He is buried in St. Luke’s Lutheran Cemetery north of Ogema, SK. Her mother Magdalena was left with six children, ranging from ages of less than 2 years to 14 years, two older half sisters Emma (Sutter) and Martha (Biffart) were living in Woodrow. April 15, 1928, her mother married Fred Feser, a widower with five children from the Maxstone district. The family quickly grew to 11, and the kids attended Willow Beach School. From there another move to the Hay Meadow district, west of Scout Lake for a time. In 1934, again a move south to Strathallen, near Canopus until her parents retired to Assiniboia in 1963. Her mother Magdalena passed away at the age of 96 and step father Fred at the age of 93. Bertha attended school at Coal Creek. In 1941 she met her future husband, Bill Mielke at a dance. They married February 11, 1943 in Rockglen at the Luke Bolster home. They farmed on what was known as the Quarantine, six miles south-east of Killdeer. Along with grain farming, they raised cattle and horses. As the kids became older they moved into Killdeer and ran the post office for a number of years. Bill and Bertha retired from Killdeer to Rockglen in 1985. Bill passed away at the age of 92 on December 29, 2002. In 2007, Bertha moved to East Side Court in Assiniboia. She loved playing cards, dancing, visiting with old and new friends but most of all Bertha loved her family. She was able to continue walking to church and get her mail from the post office until this fall. Over the span of 20 years they were blessed with eight children, six sons and two daughters. Predeceased by her husband, Bill, mother Magdalena and step father Fred Feser, son Edward Mielke (2012), grandson Austin Mielke (1999), daughter-in-law Sherry Mielke (2012), son-in-law Wilf Lethbridge (2021), as well as sisters, Emma Sutter (Sam), Martha Biffart (Sam), Lydia Silzer (Herman), Lily Cousins-Brown (Lyle), Pauline Stoffmehl-Elliot (Bill), John Williams (Elsie) and Fred Williams (Virginia); step-siblings, Pauline Hepper (John), Hilda Glaeske (Richard), Art Feser, Edmund Feser (Mary), and Edwin Feser. Bertha is survived by children Emil (Gwen), Ervin (Diane), daughter-in-law Twyla, Eugene (Glen), Elaine Lethbridge, Bill (Glenda), Bonnie Kleinfelder, Barry (Dora), also 20 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, and 3 step great-great grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Funeral Service was held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 1:00 pm in the Alliance Church, Assiniboia, SK. Pastor George Fry and Lionel Moffatt officiated. Scripture read by son, Barry and tribute delivered by son, Gene. Soloist was great-niece Donna Fiset and pianist was Lois Gibson. Following the Funeral Service, fellowship and lunch followed in the Alliance Church Fellowship Hall. Pallbearers were grandchildren: Lance Mielke, Bradley Mielke, Colin Lethbridge, Travis Kleinfeld, Cody Mielke, Dylan Mielke, Connie Beringer, Orlin Mielke. Interment at the Rockglen Cemetery. Donations in Memory of Bertha may be made to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com for the Mielke family. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK