Gayle Mielitz

Funeral services for Gayle Mielitz will be held on Monday, March 31, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Ortonville. Pastor Amy Atkins will officiate; the organist will be Bev Prior with JuliAnne French as the vocalist.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Casket bearers will be Dave Morris, Doug Julius, Bill Schellberg, Chad Schellberg, Scott Bergherr, and Matt Bjerken. Honorary bearers will be Gayle's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, Hobo Park Campground friends, and lifelong friend, Carla Schellberg. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Big Stone City, SD.

Gayle Sharon Mielitz was born on January 30, 1942, in rural Grant County, SD, to Ervin George and Delores Marion (Kohls) Goetsch. She was baptized on February 22, 1942. Gayle attended school through the 9th grade. On June 5, 1960, Gayle was united in marriage with Laverne Mielitz. To this union three children were born: Michael, Lynnae and Heather.

Earlier in her life, Gayle worked at the Ortonville Nursing Home and the Electric Maid Bakery. Her primary vocation was that of wife, mother and grandmother. Spending time with family and friends was of utmost importance to Gayle. She enjoyed many years of camping and fishing. Other hobbies included needlepoint, word puzzles, cooking, and sitting around a campfire. She never missed Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 in the evening! Her greatest joys were her grandchildren. Gayle had a great spirit for life and always enjoyed a good laugh. She will be missed.

Gayle died unexpectedly on March 26, 2014, at the Ortonville Area Hospital having reached the age of 72.

Cherishing her memory are her husband, LaVerne of Ortonville, MN; children: Lynnae (Joe) Bergherr of Alexandria, MN; Heather DeJong (fiance Bobby Crist) of Ortonville, MN; and Michael (Lori) Mielitz of Osakis, MN; grandchildren: Abby, Emma and Sophia DeJong; step-grandchildren: Scott (Jarris) Bergherr, Chad (Laura) Bergherr, Jason (Angie) Bergherr, and Nick Bergherr; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and brother Bryan (Marge) Goetsch of Dassel, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents.