Mildred "Midge" Ward

Mildred (Midge) Ward passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on January 28, 2017 at the age of 95. Midge was a former resident of Clinton and had been residing at the Tudor Oaks Senior Living Community in Muskego, WI since 2011. In 1922 she was born to immigrant parents (from Germany and Bohemia), Joseph and Albina Gillmeier in Des Moines, Iowa. Midge graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Des Moines (where she received an award for never missing a day of school) and she also attended business school. In 1944 Midge Gillmeier married John F. Ward, former co-owner of Eclipse Lumber Company, of Clinton, Iowa. She would live in Clinton for 60 years, where she worked primarily as a homemaker and mother of four children. In 2011 she moved to Wisconsin to be near her family. Midge was a member of Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, the Clinton Country Club, Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Church, and the YWCA. She was loving, good humored, and liked “lively” big band music. Her favorite pastimes were boating (especially on the Mississippi River), golfing, skiing, playing bridge with friends, dancing, and just being with her family and friends. Midge dearly loved her family, home, garden, and community in Clinton. Survivors include her children: Janet Reinking (Charles Reinking) of Colorado Springs, CO, Ed Ward (Jeanne Ward) of Muskego, WI, Patricia Ward of Minneapolis, MN, and Diana Weber (Gerald Weber) of Sugarland, TX; eight grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at the Snell-Zornig Funeral Home on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 4-7 PM. Mass will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Church with Rev. Cloos officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Midge’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers: Stacey Ward, Eli Ward McGinley, Angela Sweeney, Eric Ward, Michael Ward, Stephen Reinking, Garrison Weber and Colton Weber. In addition to her husband John, Midge was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Edward and many close friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Mildred "Midge" Ward

January 15, 1922 - January 28, 2017