Mildred Anne (nee Ludwig) Lemke

Mildred was born October 7, 1924 in Bruno the third child of William and Emilie (nee Hergott) Ludwig. She loved life on the farm and growing up with her 7 siblings; Wilfred, Catherine, Marcella, Paul, Leander, Benny and Gilbert. She received her early education in Bruno and began her musical studies at the Ursuline  Academy, going on to advanced courses from the Paramount Conservatory of Music, B.C. She also took commercial classes and business training in Saskatoon, preparatory to becoming the operator of the Canada Packers Produce and Grading Station in Bruno during the war years. Mildred showed an exceptional aptitude for music from early childhood and was gifted with a beautiful voice. She sang with the Children of Mary Chorus as well as with her two sisters in a 3-voice trio that performed on stage and received many awards. She was a very accomplished guitarist and played with a professional dance band for 10 years.

Mildred married William Lemke on November 4, 1946. They purchased the former homestead of the Whitney family. In l951 they welcomed their first child, daughter Janis, and in 1957 a second child arrived, son Reynald. Following many years as a busy wife, mother, farmer, and seamstress, Mildred accepted a position as office assistant with the Bruno Co-op. However music was always her first passion, so after purchasing a residence in the town of Bruno she began her teaching career as instructor of both classical and modern guitar for the next 40 years. At that time she also accepted the position of Choir director at the St. Bruno Church and served in that capacity for the next 20 years. Mildred sang with the St. Peter's chorus and the St. Peter's Chamber singers. The Chamber singers won many distinguished awards and reached the National Finals of the CBC Choir competition twice. This group toured the province on weekends, and traveled to Europe in the summer of 1983 performing in Germany, France, Luxemburg, Austria, and Switzerland. Needless to say music was the greater part of her life. However, Mildred was a multi-talented lady with many interests including gardening, biking, bird watching, wagon treks, and horses. She was a member of the Saskatchewan Archeological Society and participated in a number of archeological digs. She was gentle, kind and fun loving, everyone enjoyed her wit and cheerful sense of humor. She was always ready with a listening ear, practical support and good advice. She lived independently until her final 5 years when she moved to Cudworth Nursing Home.

She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her two children and two granddaughters: Janis Lemke (Ronald Bruesch) of Bruno and Reynald Lemke (Laura Ramsay) of St. Denis and daughters Kyla lemke (Thilo) of Victoria BC and Erin Lemke (Spencer) of Saskatoon; brother Gilbert (Audrey) Ludwig of Bruno; sister-in-law Dolores of Moose Jaw; brother-in-law Henry Lemke of Penticton BC; and numerous nephews and nieces.  Mildred was predeceased by her parents William and Emilie Ludwig; husband William Lemke; siblings Wilfred (Leona) Ludwig, Catherine (Frank) Thurmeier, Marcella (Wilfred) Lang, Paul Ludwig, Leander Ludwig and Benedict (Lois) Ludwig.

A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Bruno R.C. Church, Bruno, celebrated by Fr. Pius Schroh.  Interment followed in the St. Bruno R.C. Cemetery.  Memorial donations in Mildred’s memory may be directed to St. Bruno R.C. Cemetery Fund or Canadian Wildlife Federation.