Joanna Mielke

Joanna Mae Mielke

November 18, 1932 - January 7, 2022

Mielke, Joanna Mae - of Flushing, age 89, was taken into the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 7, 2022.

Joanna, the daughter of the late Roy and Goldie Bennett, was born in Wabash, Indiana on November 18, 1932. Her family later moved to Marion, Indiana, where she attended Marion High School. Later, she worked at Bell Fibre where she met her husband, Ronald Mielke, and they were married in 1960.

Joanna was the loving mother to five children. Her first born child, Beth Ann, lived a short life just shy of 2 years. Joanna often spoke of this special time that she had with her and it seemed to be a catalyst for how she would live her life; full of compassion, love, kindness, and service for others.

After the family moved to Michigan in 1967, Joanna began a part-time job working in the fabric department at a local Yankee store. This ultimately led to a management position at Jo-Ann Fabrics where she devoted 31 years, retiring in 2000.

Joanna wholeheartedly cared for and enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and would eagerly share her life lessons with them. She loved to entertain and share a meal with her family, always beginning with holding hands and saying a prayer. She took every opportunity to share God’s word. Her meals, as in life, were catered to what each guest wanted. Her freezer was always stocked with a variety of ice cream, and if you were lucky, her homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Joanna will be remembered as a bright light to those who knew her and for the love she bestowed to others, most especially those whose heart needed uplifting. During retirement, she was known to call on friends and lend a hand to those in need. She would visit the sick and elderly to share encouraging words of God’s love.

In her final years, it was Joanna’s desire to live in her home as long as possible. During this time, Joanna had a passion for solving puzzles, whether it be a Word Search or a 500-piece puzzle. She also enjoyed watching her favorite sports teams, Tigers baseball and Pistons basketball, as well as outings to her favorite drive thru restaurants, a stroll through Aldi’s or the Dollar Tree, and quiet bird watching through the window.

Above all, Joanna can be remembered for her lifelong strong faith in God. She often found comfort and encouragement in reading her Bible. Joanna was a member of Central Church of Nazarene for 36 years, and for a short period of time, she enjoyed teaching a Sunday School class of first grade boys. We can be confident, if there is one thing she would want to pass on to her loved ones, it would be her love for Jesus.

Cherishing her memory are her children, Steve (Diane) Mielke, Marta (Jim) Bentoski, Ben (Teresa) Mielke, Amy (Denis) Hannigan; and her grandchildren, Chad Bentoski, Tricia (Keith) Kuipers, Brooke (Eddie) Falk, Sarah (Ryan) Anderson, Angela (Kevin) Rienks, April (Michael) Jager, Ben (Megan) Stark, Shannon (Didier) Moleres, and Daniel (Sara) Mielke; great-grandchildren, Jenna, Cole, Julia, Hailey, Emily, Daelene, Molly, Cade, Edward, Jacob, Kinley, William, Sophia, Mila and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Goldie Bennett; husband, Ronald Mielke; brother, Keith Bennett; daughter, Beth Ann Thomason; and great-grandson, Jack Kuipers.

Cremation has taken place. A private family memorial service will be held at Sharp Funeral Home, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, Michigan 48473. Extended family and friends are invited to go to https://www.sharpfuneralhomes.com to share tributes and view the service via live stream at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022. A recorded version will be available following the service.

The family would like to express appreciation to The Oaks at Woodfield and Mid-Michigan Home Health & Hospice for their special care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mid-Michigan Home Health & Hospice, 1020 Professional Drive, Building B, Flint, Michigan 48532.