Mark Mihm

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 3:07 pm

Mark Mihm, 94, of St. Lucas, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at the Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick March and Rev. Joseph Hauer officiating. Deacon was Jim Zajicek. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Solist was Don DiLaura. St. Luke’s Choir sang “You Raise Me Up,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Shepherd Me, O God,” “You Are Mine,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Come to Jesus,” “Goin’ Home,” “O Loving God” and “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” Lector was Rick Mihm. Mass servers were Kelby Reicks, Mitch Herold and Jacob Herold. Eucharistic ministers were Darlene Schwamman and Jim Zajicek. Offertory gift bearers were Jill Heins and Allison Olson. Honorary casket bearers were John Wiest, Terry Costigan, Dave Goerend, Billy Mihm and Dick Nienhaus. Casket bearers were Brian Mihm, Brandon Daniels, Brad Ridout, Craig Kuehner, Marcus Daniels, Austin Mihm and Colin Mihm. Military rites at the graveside were by Aloysius Schmitt American Legion Post No. 691, St. Lucas. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Mark Louis Mihm was born Feb. 2, 1921, the son of John and Clara (Perry) Mihm in St. Lucas. Mark attended St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served as sergeant during WWII, from 1942-46. He was united in marriage to Margaret “Marge” Hauer Sept. 11, 1943, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. To this union, five children were born: Tom, Nancy, Steve, Mary Pat and Jann. Mark was a successful entrepreneur; he started the White House, Mark’s Jewelry and was a barber and watchmaker for nearly 50 years. He served on the Board of Directors of Bank First in West Union for 40 years and also was on the German Mutual Board. Mark was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, the Foresters, Knights of Columbus and the Aloysius Schmitt American Legion Post No. 691. Mark enjoyed golfing and collecting golf balls, fishing, weed-eating, painting, dancing, playing cards, sweeping and keeping everything “neat and tidy.” Mark also served as the mayor of St. Lucas and was a pillar of the community for many years. Mark was quoted on all the accomplishments that he had in his life and he said “Everything turned out very good for me. It was perfect.”

Mark is survived by his five children: Thomas (Ann) Mihm, Eagan, Minn.; Nancy (fiancé, Steve Klimesh) Daniels, Spillville; Steven (Jacque) Mihm, Lakeville, Minn.; Mary Pat (Thomas) Ridout, Calmar,; and Jann (John) Kuehner, St. Lucas; Mark also is survived by his special friend, Joyce Wolfgram, St. Lucas, along with her family; 12 grandchildren: Brian (Rebekah) Mihm, Laura (Edward) Rockwell, Brandon (Jennifer) Daniels, Megan Desmond, Marcus (Sarah Moyle) Daniels, Kara (Travis) Peterson, Austin (Kassi) Mihm, Colin Mihm, Brad (Emily) Ridout, Allison (Jeff) Olson, Craig (Jenna Kleve) Kuehner and Jill (Derek) Heins; 16 great-grandchildren: Joshua, Andrew and Nathan Mihm, William and Thomas Rockwell, Matthew and Ella Daniels, Jay and Thomas Desmond, Caid and Brynn Peterson, Kobe and Kylie Ridout, Merek and Cambree Olson, Hilton, Preston and Lynston Heins; two sisters, Mary “Sis” Jacobson, Longville, Minn. and Helene (Greg) Wurzer, Rockford, Ill.; one sister-in-law, Shirley Mihm, Dubuque; along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara (Perry) Mihm; his wife of 59 years, Margaret “Marge” Mihm, March 14, 2002; one great-granddaughter, Annabel Daniels; five siblings: Alex (Mary Jo) Mihm, Louis Mihm, Urban (Joe) Mihm, Colette (Clarence) Rausch and Agatha (Charlie) Hooper.