Mae E. Meldgaard

Mae Elizabeth Meldgaard, 93, passed away at Lakeshore Manor and went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ, on December 30, 2009. Mae was born in Antigo, Wisconsin, on March 6, 1916, the daughter of The Rev. Walter and Hattie (nee: Sorenson) Lembke. She was united in marriage to Jerome A. Meldgaard on August 15, 1936, at the family cottage on the beautiful Lake Noquebay near Crivitz, WI.

Mae was a graduate of Washington Park High School “Class of 1933.” She later attended nursing training at Milwaukee Hospital for two years and Milwaukee State Teacher’s College from 1933-1934.

Mae loved her family and Racine. Her favorite verse was: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. She spent her years as a homemaker and community volunteer. In 1959 she was awarded Racine’s first “Woman of the Year.” Mae served Girl Scout Troop 1934, MADD, P.E.O. Chapter CF, Racine County Republican Party, Racine Theatre Guild, Sustainable Racine, Women’s Civic Council and Wustum Museum.

She also served as president of Big Sisters, Racine County Girl Scouts, Racine County Republican Women, St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary, the Visiting Nurses Association, the Women’s Club of Racine, the Y.W.C.A., and the 21 Now Coalition.

Mae was legislative chairman of Wisconsin Federation of Women’s Club, served as board member of the American Red Cross (Southeastern Wisconsin), Community Chest (United Way), Family Service of Racine, League of Women’s Voters, Mental Health Organization and Clinic, Racine Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Racine Symphony Guild, Racine Zoological Society, the Wisconsin Association of Woman Highway Safety Leaders and served as chairwoman of the Southeastern Council of the Wisconsin Hospital Association. Mae was also a member of the Physician Recruitment Committee of the Racine Medical Society.

Mae is survived by her daughter, Gail (Lee) Pullen; and son, John A. (Shirley) Meldgaard, all of Racine; grandchildren, John (Megumi) Pullen of Okinawa, Japan, Karen (Robert) Wagner of Glendale, Michael (Laura) Fahrenkrog-Pullen of Iowa, Anne (Lori) Hein-Pullen, Cathryn (Steven) Stetka, Sara (Scott) McDonald, Mark (Rebecca) Meldgaard and Eric Meldgaard all of Racine. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, other relatives and many dear friends. Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome on June 28, 1995; one brother, Willard Lembke; and sister, Ruth Doenier; and her parents.

Funeral services for Mae will be held at Faith United Methodist Church, 1013 Harmony Drive, on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Listowel Mensah officiating. Burial will follow at Mound Cemetery. There will be a visitation at Sturino Funeral Home on Monday, January 4, 2010, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and at church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Riverbend Nature Center, (3600 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI 53404), P.E.O. Chapter CF (5324 Cynthia Lane, Racine, WI 53406), or Lakeshore Manor, (1320 Wisconsin Ave. Racine, WI 53403) in Mae’s memory have been suggested.

The Meldgaard family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff at Lakeshore Manor, St. Monica’s Senior Home and Dr. Thomas Goodrich for their fine care and compassion.

Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine 262 632-4479