Marie Mielke
August 17th, 1962 - August 22nd, 2022
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Marie's Obituary
Marie Mielke, 60, a lifelong resident of South Haven, MI, was surrounded by family as she passed away Monday, August 22, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Marie was born August 17, 1962, in Benton Harbor, MI, to Thomas and Kay (Nower) Mielke. After graduating from South Haven High School in 1980, Marie attended Western Michigan University for her Bachelor’s degree and later for her Master’s degree in Education. Marie was a dedicated Catholic school teacher who taught for 27 years, spending two years in Lowell, MI, and 25 years at St. Basil’s Catholic School in South Haven where she taught grades 2, 4, 5 and middle school Language Arts. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Marie spent countless hours outside of the classroom, coordinating and contributing to multiple events including Science Camp, the Father/Daughter Dance, the Modern Woodmen of America speech competition, and the Hope College Young Author’s Program, to name just a few of her favorites. During her teaching years, Marie spent several summers as Harbor Master at the South Haven Marina where she met many visitors who became friends. After retiring from teaching, Marie worked for the South Haven Yacht Club where she wore many hats for more than ten years, her favorite hat being the one she wore when she hosted family nights and ice cream socials. Marie also worked in property management with The Gardner Management Company, managing properties in both Saugatuck and South Haven. We are so grateful for the support and kindness shown to Marie by both the Yacht Club and the Gardner families over these two years.
Outside of work, Marie’s passion was helping people. She did this in ways big and small and too many to count. Marie was the consummate “big sister” to her five siblings and “aunt extraordinaire” to their children, always willing to help out whether it was driving someone to a game or practice, babysitting for a day or a week, attending as many events as possible for her nieces and nephews and always staying in touch so she knew what was happening in their lives. Marie took phenomenal care of our parents over the years, as well, acting as their chauffeur and medical advocate and always as their loving caregiver. Her caring extended outside the family in many ways. She believed in helping those less fortunate by supporting local causes such as Blessings in a Backpack and South Haven Helping Hands & Hearts, formerly known as The Purse Project. Her constant and unwavering support of local efforts was well-known and included even smaller gestures like donating to and shopping at the Al-Van Humane Society thrift shop among others in her efforts to “shop local”.
Marie had many friends and was involved in a variety of groups including the Beautiful Broads Book Club, the Wednesday Winos, and the Elks Club. Marie also had an amazing tribe who supported her and cared for her through this difficult battle. They were with her by visiting, calling, sending flowers and meals for the family, and checking in constantly.
Marie is survived by her mother, Kay Mielke, of South Haven, MI; brothers Mark Mielke of South Haven, MI, Mike (Tiffanni) Mielke of South Haven, MI, and Tommie (Melea) Mielke of Kalamazoo, MI; sisters Lisa (Mike) Portolese of Mishawaka, IN and Karla (Lincoln) Warriner of Jackson, MI; nieces and nephews including Dominique (Rob), Nathan, Paulette, Josh, Katie (Matt), Michael, Olivia, Abby, Karah, Ryan (Emily), Emily, Audrey (Austin), Ben, Heaven, Caleb, Lily, Noah, Thomas and Matthew; great nephews Nolan, Theo, and Milo; great-nieces Ava and Ellie; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom she loved deeply. Marie is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Mielke, and her brother, Paul Mielke.
We are so grateful to our brother, Tommie, our sister-in-law, Melea, and their children for caring for Marie in their home until her last moment. Their selfless act filled Marie’s final days with peace, knowing she was cared for and loved. As Yacht Club Commodore Mike McCarthy so eloquently stated, “With dignity, good nature and faith, Marie endured a prolonged stretch with cancer, offering us all a lesson in how dying well can be a part of living well.” This is a fitting tribute to Marie who began and ended her life teaching us about courage and grace.
Friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday, August 29, from 4PM-8PM at the Filbrandt Chapel. A Memorial Mass will be Tuesday, August 30, at the St. Basil Catholic Church at 11:00 AM with Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Deacon John Lohrstorfer officiating. Continuing her giving ways, Marie has donated her body to research at Western Michigan University. In lieu of flowers, friends can make a memorial contribution to the WMed Body Donation Program Fund, 1000 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008 or The Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation/Blessings in a Backpack, PO Box 507, South Haven, MI, 49090.
To view Marie's personal web page please visit www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services.
Marie was born August 17, 1962, in Benton Harbor, MI, to Thomas and Kay (Nower) Mielke. After graduating from South Haven High School in 1980, Marie attended Western Michigan University for her Bachelor’s degree and later for her Master’s degree in Education. Marie was a dedicated Catholic school teacher who taught for 27 years, spending two years in Lowell, MI, and 25 years at St. Basil’s Catholic School in South Haven where she taught grades 2, 4, 5 and middle school Language Arts. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Marie spent countless hours outside of the classroom, coordinating and contributing to multiple events including Science Camp, the Father/Daughter Dance, the Modern Woodmen of America speech competition, and the Hope College Young Author’s Program, to name just a few of her favorites. During her teaching years, Marie spent several summers as Harbor Master at the South Haven Marina where she met many visitors who became friends. After retiring from teaching, Marie worked for the South Haven Yacht Club where she wore many hats for more than ten years, her favorite hat being the one she wore when she hosted family nights and ice cream socials. Marie also worked in property management with The Gardner Management Company, managing properties in both Saugatuck and South Haven. We are so grateful for the support and kindness shown to Marie by both the Yacht Club and the Gardner families over these two years.
Outside of work, Marie’s passion was helping people. She did this in ways big and small and too many to count. Marie was the consummate “big sister” to her five siblings and “aunt extraordinaire” to their children, always willing to help out whether it was driving someone to a game or practice, babysitting for a day or a week, attending as many events as possible for her nieces and nephews and always staying in touch so she knew what was happening in their lives. Marie took phenomenal care of our parents over the years, as well, acting as their chauffeur and medical advocate and always as their loving caregiver. Her caring extended outside the family in many ways. She believed in helping those less fortunate by supporting local causes such as Blessings in a Backpack and South Haven Helping Hands & Hearts, formerly known as The Purse Project. Her constant and unwavering support of local efforts was well-known and included even smaller gestures like donating to and shopping at the Al-Van Humane Society thrift shop among others in her efforts to “shop local”.
Marie had many friends and was involved in a variety of groups including the Beautiful Broads Book Club, the Wednesday Winos, and the Elks Club. Marie also had an amazing tribe who supported her and cared for her through this difficult battle. They were with her by visiting, calling, sending flowers and meals for the family, and checking in constantly.
Marie is survived by her mother, Kay Mielke, of South Haven, MI; brothers Mark Mielke of South Haven, MI, Mike (Tiffanni) Mielke of South Haven, MI, and Tommie (Melea) Mielke of Kalamazoo, MI; sisters Lisa (Mike) Portolese of Mishawaka, IN and Karla (Lincoln) Warriner of Jackson, MI; nieces and nephews including Dominique (Rob), Nathan, Paulette, Josh, Katie (Matt), Michael, Olivia, Abby, Karah, Ryan (Emily), Emily, Audrey (Austin), Ben, Heaven, Caleb, Lily, Noah, Thomas and Matthew; great nephews Nolan, Theo, and Milo; great-nieces Ava and Ellie; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom she loved deeply. Marie is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Mielke, and her brother, Paul Mielke.
We are so grateful to our brother, Tommie, our sister-in-law, Melea, and their children for caring for Marie in their home until her last moment. Their selfless act filled Marie’s final days with peace, knowing she was cared for and loved. As Yacht Club Commodore Mike McCarthy so eloquently stated, “With dignity, good nature and faith, Marie endured a prolonged stretch with cancer, offering us all a lesson in how dying well can be a part of living well.” This is a fitting tribute to Marie who began and ended her life teaching us about courage and grace.
Friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday, August 29, from 4PM-8PM at the Filbrandt Chapel. A Memorial Mass will be Tuesday, August 30, at the St. Basil Catholic Church at 11:00 AM with Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Deacon John Lohrstorfer officiating. Continuing her giving ways, Marie has donated her body to research at Western Michigan University. In lieu of flowers, friends can make a memorial contribution to the WMed Body Donation Program Fund, 1000 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008 or The Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation/Blessings in a Backpack, PO Box 507, South Haven, MI, 49090.
To view Marie's personal web page please visit www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services.
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.