Lillian Beverly Mierkey

1925 - 2013

Lillian Beverly Mierkey
4/1/1925 - 11/15/2013

Lillian Beverly Mierkey, nee Alf, born on April 1, 1925, passed quietly into the arms of her Creator on November 15, 2013. She was preceded in death by Vern [Mierkey], her husband of 65 years, infant daughter LaVonne, grandson Michael Dannels and younger brother Almoine Alf. She is survived by her seven remaining children: Jane Roach and Chari (John) Bockelmann of Auburn, Fran (Al) Plyler [of Phoenix] and sons Gary (Rosemary) [of San Antonio], Bill (Janie) [of Colorado Springs], Dan (Annette) [of Glenwood Springs, Colo.] and Tom (Jeri) [of Ashford, Wash.] She also leaves 13 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Sean), Brian, Nick (Carrie), Erica (Jeff), Amanda, Constance, Katerina, William (Rani), Victoria, Danny, Danielle (Jason), Nikki, Jacqui (Kenny), and 11 great-grandchildren: Loki, Mia, Ashley, JD, Jordyn, Shannan, Matthew, Jared, Teagan, Evany and Violet.
Lillian was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wis., She attended Eau Claire State College where she earned a teaching degree and met her husband, Vern. They were married in 1946 and she taught high school science until they moved to Shiocton and opened a small Dry Goods store. In 1952 they moved to Phoenix where they raised their family. She had always been an active member of the Lutheran Church and over the years served as a synod officer in the LCW and held many offices in her local church women's groups. She also taught at the church school in Phoenix. They moved to Denver in 1969 and then in 1988, she was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of working in the mission field. Working with the World Mission Prayer League, she taught school in Santa Cruz, Bolivia for three years before returning to the states and moving to California.
Lillian loved to knit and crochet and spread her love for her family with dozens of handmade articles and gifts over the years. She also established a family tradition of knitting a personal Christmas stocking for every single family member as they joined, spouses and children. That amounted to more than 50 stockings over the years, and the tradition is being carried on by youngest daughter Chari. She was also a member of the Azalea Rebekah Lodge and played bridge occasionally with local groups.
The family will gather next Spring to inter Lil's cremains next to Vern and LaVonne in Shiocton, Wis. A Service of Remembrance is planned for local friends and family after the Christmas season.