Mildred Johanna (Riemer) Behm was born March 19, 1921, to William and Emma Riemer during a thunder & lightning storm. She attended Hartwig Grade School through 8th grade, which sparked her quest for learning and teaching her younger siblings by playing school. During her High School years, a room was rented in Merrill during the week and home on weekends. She was a 4-H member from 9 until 21, with many fond memories and achievements, participating in judging contests, State Fair, and National 4-H Congress in Chicago. After earning money to attend UW Madison, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Home Economists Education degree. While in Madison, she joined the VFW Auxiliary and was a member for 75 years. After graduation she took a job 1945 as the Calumet County Emergency War Food Assistant, then as a Home Economics teacher in Omro. It is while teaching an evening class in conjunction with the Ag gent, she met Walter and the two exchanged vows on August 9, 1947, living in Oshkosh for over five years. Mildred was busy raising her growing family but still made time to join a teacher’s social group and the Winnebago Extension Homemakers, ending as chairwoman before moving to Merrill in 1953 fulfilling their dream of farming, were given an opportunity to farm in the town of Pine River until 1996 with the help of their four children, family and friends. After moving to Merrill, she became a 4-H leader, Pine River Homemakers Club, Farm Bureau and AMPI. Millie also became involved in AFS, hosting a student from Peru in 1965-66 and a young farmer from Germany, which Millie and Walter then visited at his farm while taking a side trip from attending a conference in Oslo, Norway.
Mildred was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, VBS, Confirmation Classes, choir, Ladies Aid/LWML, active Walther League member, also played on the Dart ball team, raising her children to be active, respectful and follow her example of leadership.
Millie always kept busy making dried apples, fruit leathers, knitting, crocheting and sewing. Teaching her children how to can and cook was very important to her.
Education was very important to Millie, encouraging all four children to further their education in college or technical school in their chosen field, encouraging and attending extracurricular as able.
Mildred is survived by Ronald (Gail) of Gleason, Lois of Wausau, Warren (Mary) of Minocqua and Katherine (Joe) of Merrill; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren. Millie is further survived by many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Walter in August 2003, parents, William and Emma Riemer in 1971, infant daughter Linda in 1955 and son-in-law Jerry Oestreich in 2018.
The funeral service for Mildred will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 8, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Town of Pine River. The Rev. Greg Laska will officiate. Interment will follow the service at St. Paul Church Cemetery, Town of Pine River. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, Friday, March 8, 2024, at the church. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com