Richard “Dick” N. Mielke, 70, of Black Creek, passed away Monday, May 4, 2015, at home. He was born Nov. 16, 1944, son of the late Nathan and Marian (Brugger) Mielke.
Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1967. He later was educated as a butcher and was well-versed on his cuts of meat.
Dick returned to the family farm, where he thoroughly enjoyed doing the field work. He had many passions that revolved around farming, including his tractor collection and restoring antique tractors, working with the Belgian draft horses with his dad, and farm equipment maintenance.
He liked to ride motorcycles and snowmobiles. The Fourth of July festivities and fireworks were also some of Dick’s favorite pastimes.
On Sept. 12, 1981, he was united in marriage to Sherry Keen. He was proud to be a father to Sherry’s children. Sherry preceded him in death on Sept. 16, 2013. Richard and Sherry farmed in the town of Maine until retiring in 2003. Following retirement he liked to mow lawn so much he worked at the sod farm in Black Creek cutting all of the grass.
He loved to watch old western movies and could do it all day long. Dick also enjoyed his gun collection.
He was a car connoisseur, and his very first love was a ‘66 GTO. Over the years there were many cars, with one of his favorites being Mustang Sally. He enjoyed going out for a ride with Sherry, watching car shows and had a thing for chrome. There is no doubt his scribbled notes will be found around the farm for years to come.
He is survived by his children, Joseph (Nancy) Richlen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, William (Rhonda) Richlen, Green Bay, and Christina (Jeremy) Neal, Black Creek; grandchildren, Melissa and Matthew Richlen, Alyssa (John) VandenHeuvel, Connor, Braedon and Emma Richlen, Bethany Froehlich, Breanna Stanelle, Daniel and Candelara Neal; and great-grandchildren, Elijah Richlen and another on the way. He is further survived by his sister, Debra Mielke, California; brothers, Chris Mielke, California, and Gene Mielke, Nichols; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Thomas) Merkes, Appleton, Nancy (Gary) Kleczewski, Neenah, and Mary (Robert) Summers, Wrightstown; brothers-in-law, John Vogt, Appleton, Jim (Janeen) Keen, Green Bay, and Gary (Sue) Keen, Appleton. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his dog, Tinkerbell.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife; parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Irene and Erwin Keen; and sister-in-law, Paula Vogt.
Friends may call at Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour, on Saturday, May 9, 2015, from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Bernard Fergusson officiating. Burial will take place at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton, at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com.
Thanks to our special neighbor and friend Marlene for everything you have done for Dick to make life easier for him.
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