Nancy Mielke

Nancy L. Mielke (Barnhart), 77 of Rochester, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Saint Marys Hospital surrounded by her five children after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. Born Nancy Louis Wilson on July, 4, 1940 to Alice (Gilbertson) and Henry Wilson. She was a firecracker baby. Nancy attended Central High School, in Rochester. She met and married Merle Barnhart, they were later divorced. Years later she reconnected with a former high school sweetheart, David Mielke, they were married January 22, 1987 in Tampa, FL. Nancy worked at Harper Trucks in Wichita, Kansas, at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Housekeeping, as a welder at Crenlo, in Rochester. She went on to work many years at Rochester Meat's in Quality Control where she eventually retired. She is survived by her five children, Ricky Barnhart (Tina) of Derby, Kansas, Cindy Cunningham (Kim), of Rochester, Randy Barnhart (Tonia), Kasson, Tammy Barnhart of Red Lodge, Montana and Terry Barnhart (Barb) of Red Lodge, Montana. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Nancy is also survived by her only sibling, a brother, Alan Wilson, of Rochester as well as her feline companion for the last 15 years Kat! Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, a grandson Jason Barnhart and sister-in-law Marie Wilson. Over the years, Nancy and the kids made many moves in and around Rochester, a move to Wichita, Kansas in 1971. This created many interesting family trips back and forth to Rochester before finally moving back to Rochester in 1978. Nancy and Dave lived in Tampa, Florida and Bullhead City, Arizona. They spent many days traveling and visiting flea markets looking for pitcher and bowl sets to add to their extensive collection of special types of glassware and Beanie Babies. She also enjoyed playing keno as displayed on her license plate KENO1. Dave passed away unexpectedly in September 2001 only days after 9/11. Nancy and Dave are once again reconnected and are surely dancing to a George Strait song or two. The visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday December 12, 2017 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and also one hour prior to the service. The funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. To share a special memory or condolence please visit ww.ranfranzandvinefh.com