Mildred Lorraine Loken of Iola, age 90, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Iola Living Oaks.

She was born to Emil and Ida Schulke on August 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 everyday in her journal still sharing every day together. She was also a great mother to Dave and Dan. Both of them 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 of them 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 and 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; sisters and brothers in-law: Bernice and Ernest Erickson, Lawrence and Elaine Loken; brothers-in-law: Bill Heineman, Roy Reisenberg, Rudy Roland and Leroy Armon.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the Hitterdahl Lutheran Church, Iola with Rev. Dale Wilson officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 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, Living Oaks, and Hitterdahl Lutheran Church will be appreciated. Voie Funeral Home of Iola is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to to thank Heartland Hospice and Iola Living Oaks for the the exceptional care that was provided to Millie and her family.