Stirn, Mildred (Gerkey) 1919-1991

COLSCH, GERKEY, STIRN, CONNOR, SULLIVAN, LENZ, COOPER, DOINICK

Posted By: Diana Diedrich (email)
Date: 10/14/2006 at 12:49:49

Mildred Stirn

Mildred Louise Stirn, 72, of Lansing died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1991 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon.

She was born Aug. 23. 1919 in Ludlow Township, Allamakee County, to Paul and Josephine (Colsch) Gerkey and graduated from Waukon High School and Waukon Junior College in 1937. She married Leo A. Stirn June 3, 1937 at St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon.

Mildred ran a Lansing area pre-school in 1937. In 1942 she worked at Camp McCoy (WI) as a telephone operator during World War II. In 1947 she and Leo returned to Lansing where they owned and operated Stirn’s Home Appliance.

Millie was a teacher for the Head Start pre-school program in Lansing from 1967 to 1980. She attended Winona State and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, pursuing a degree in early childhood education. She was active in the Democratic Party, Catholic Order of Women’s Foresters, VFW Women’s Auxiliary, and Immaculate Conception Parish ACCW.

Surviving are her husband, and seven children, Micki (James) Connor, Cathy (Richard) Sullivan, Janice (Keith) Lenz, all of Waukon, Gary (Pat) Stirn of Guttenberg, Lee Ann (Leo) Cooper of Madison, Wi., Greg (Sue) Stirn of Lansing, and Lori Stirn of Ottumwa. Also surviving are her mother, Mrs. Francis Gerkey of Waukon; a brother, Lester (Theda) Gerkey of Chariton; a sister, Arleen (Bob) Dolnick of Joshua Tree, Ca.; 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, step-father, and grandson, Kyle Sullivan.

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 1 at Immaculate Conception Church, Lansing Fr. Herbert Tegeler officiated. Burial was in Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing.

Serving as pallbearers were Dick Sullivan, Jason Sullivan, Leo Cooper, Adam Cooper, Keith Lenz, Dustin Lenz, Jim Connor and Eric Stirn.

Transcribed by Diana Henry Diedrich