Betty J. Mielke, 85, of Orion passed away Sunday, July 4, 2010, at her home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 8, at Mary Our Lady of Peace, Orion. Visitation was held on Wednesday, July 7, at Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Orion, with a rosary conducted at 3:30 p.m. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, East Moline.
Memorials may be made to Mary Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church or Trinity Hospice.
Betty was born on Aug. 5, 1924, in Lafayette, Ind., the daughter of Vernon and Margaret (Rosenbach) Loy. She married Dale Mielke on Nov. 10, 1945, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, East Moline. He preceded her in death on Feb. 10, 1990.
Betty was employed as a registered nurse at the former Moline Public Hospital and the East Moline State Hospital. She retired from Hammond-Henry Hospital.
She was a member of Mary Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Orion and the Altar & Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Quilter’s Club and the prayer chain of the church, and she was known as the “Good Cheer” lady. She supported children in missionary countries.
She enjoyed quilting, gardening, fishing, sports, picnics and most of all spending time with her family.
Survivors include her children, Sharon and John Molinelli of West Chester, Pa., Diane and Don Versluys of Osco, Jill Saelens of Orion, Jackie and Tony Pauwels of Colona, Nancy and Ralph Dantino of Geneva, Janet Abdalla of Andover, Steve Mielke of Orion; Chris Carlson of Orion, Mike Mielke of Andover, Julie and Rex Shake of Orion, Dave and Tammy Mielke of Geneseo, Patty Swint and Mike Roegiers of Osco, and Sheila and John Meade of Sterling Heights, Mich.; 39 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her daughter, Kathleen Mielke; two sisters, Verna McMillin and Lorraine Mahieu; and one brother, Glen Loy.
