Mildred Lorraine Loken
August 14, 1931 – January 8, 2022
Mildred Lorraine Loken of Iola, Wisconsin, age 90, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at Iola Living Oaks.
She was born to Emil and Ida Schulke on Aug. 14, 1931, in the Town of Almond in Portage County. Mildred married Harlan Loken on Aug. 20, 1949. Together they had two sons, David and Daniel.
Mildred spent her entire life caring for others as a loving wife, mother, sister and friend. Her family was her most prized possession. She was a great wife. Anyone who knew Mildred, knew Harlan as they were seldom apart. Together they farmed on the family farm in the Town of Harrison. Mildred often said she could be considered a farm hand as she spent more time in the barn and field than in the house. Many people learned to appreciate hard work helping Harlan and Mildred bale hay. Mildred made sure no one went away hungry!
Since Harlan’s passing, she wrote to him every day in her journal still sharing every day together.
She was also a great mother to Dave and Dan. Both have her to thank for their fishing skills and love for the sport. She especially loved being a grandmother to her six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandsons. She was so proud of all then and made sure they had an angel food cake for every birthday!
When not caring for her family, she was visiting others. Together Harlan and Mildred would visit friends, nursing home residents, and neighbors on a regular basis. She never forgot a birthday or special occasion and sent many heart-felt cards and letters. She loved to play cards, especially with her loving friend Wanda Draeger. “What a blessing to have a friend like this.”
She enjoyed crocheting and spent the last few years making several dozen afghans for family and friends when COVID kept her from visiting them in person.
Survivors include her sons David (Patricia) Loken and Daniel (Sharon) Loken; her sister Delores Armon; sisters-in-law Janice Schuelke, Audrey Schuelke, and Pat Schuelke; grandchildren Jodi (Jason ) Long, Jill (Tom) Sharp, David P. (Debbie) Loken, Denise (Kevin) Willis, DJ Loken, and special friend Mindy Lowe and Caleb Loken; great-grandchildren Kiedra (Nick) Van Gruensven, Preston, Alex, Ethan, Olivia, Cooper, Korz, Dane, Roen, Jacob, Aspen; great-great-grandchildren Brier and Brex; and special friends Wanda Draeger and family and the Sether family.
Mildred was preceded in death by her loving husband Harlan Loken; her parents Emil and Ida Schulke; brothers Maynard, Martin, and Gordon Schuelke; sisters Irene Riesenberg and Arlene Roland; her father- and mother in-law Louie and Clara Loken; sister- and brothers-in-laws Bernice and Ernest Erickson, Lawrence and Elaine Loken; brothers-in-laws Bill Heineman, Roy Reisenberg, Rudy Roland, and Leroy Armon.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Hitterdahl Lutheran Church, Iola, with Rev. Dale Wilson, officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place in the Hitterdahl Lutheran Cemetery in Iola.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Iola Living Assistance, Iola Living Oaks, and Hitterdahl Lutheran Church will be appreciated.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice and Iola Living Oaks for the exceptional care that was provided to Millie and her family.
Voie Funeral Home of Iola is assisting the family with arrangements.