Eleanor “Ellie” Horn Mielke, age 85, formerly of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at All Saints Senior Living, in Shakopee, MN.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 11 am, with a gathering from 10-10:45 am, at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road SW, Prior Lake. Pastor Laila Barr will preside. Ellie will be laid to rest at a private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis, MN.
Livestreaming will be available at the start of the service by using the link below:
https://youtube.com/live/GUEE3
Ellie was born on October 12, 1938, in Minneapolis, MN, to Franklin “Berry” and Elizabeth (Kirby) Horn. She was the second of four siblings and attended Washburn High School. Growing up, Ellie and her siblings spent lots of time with her cousins on her dad’s side of the family and grew close over the years. Shortly after high school, Ellie met Kenneth Mielke at the University of Minnesota and they were united in marriage on September 1, 1961. Ken was in the Navy, so early life together involved travel to Napa Valley and La Jolla, California and were blessed with three children, Deb, John, and Paul.
After Ken’s discharge from the Navy, they moved back to Minnesota and lived throughout the state and in Michigan for a time, but primarily raised their family in Bloomington and Moundsview, MN. Ellie’s main occupation in life was being a great wife and mother, but as the kids grew up in Moundsview, Ellie worked with the school district in different capacities, mostly as a school aide in the library and on the playground. Later on, she worked for New Horizons as well.
As a family, Ken, Ellie, and the kids enjoyed a simple life, staying involved in church and the kid’s sporting events. They enjoyed a few special vacations down to Florida and over to Colorado together. They also enjoyed spending time with the neighbors on the weekends. Ellie was blessed with six grandchildren and loved each of them. Later in life, Ken and Ellie retired to Florida for five years before moving back and settling in Prior Lake.
Ellie loved to shop, put together crafts, and try new recipes! She also enjoyed soap operas and a good romance novel. She was a people person and made friends with no problem. When she moved into All Saints late in life, she blossomed in the company of others. She signed up for every activity she could so she wouldn’t miss any of the excitement!
Ellie’s faith was also important to her, and she was involved in the church wherever she went, most recently Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. She was active in many ministries and was a great office support volunteer over the years.
Outgoing, loud, and always loving, Ellie will be missed by her beloved children, Deb Kessler, John (Karen) Mielke, and Paul Mielke; grandchildren, Drew, P.J., Olivia (Josh), Katie (Brian), Nick (Hannah), Ben; great grandchildren, Charley and Scarlett; siblings, John (Shirley) Horn, Marie (Ron) Frederick; and other relatives and friends.
Welcoming Ellie home in Heaven is her husband, Ken; parents; and brother, Bill (Lee) Horn.
Share a message with Ellie’s family below.
