Viola F. Mierow

Viola Florence Mierow (nee Erickson) departed this earth after 96 years to be with her heavenly father on April 30, 2020. She was a longtime resident of Oak Creek, WI and she passed quietly at her home with her daughter at her side. Viola and her twin sister Vivian were born on 12/20/1923 in Ettrick, WI to Bernt and Elisabeth Erickson. Her parents had immigrated from Norway as children and Viola was always extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage. She and her sister were the youngest of a family of eleven children, all of whom preceded her in death. Viola was active in school as a member of many clubs and was both a high school cheerleader and band majorette. After graduation she married her high school sweetheart Gordon E. Mierow on May 3, 1942 who preceded her in death in 1983. Gordon and Viola continued the legacy of her parents and became the proud parents of twelve children who became the focal point of her life and were her lifeline, especially in her later years. She was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (LCMS) of Caledonia, WI and passed on her deep Christian faith and strong character to her children. She was recognized by all who knew her as a person who spoke her mind and knew the right things to say and the right questions to ask. In addition to her unwavering love for her family, some of the things she will be remembered for are her cinnamon rolls, apple crisp, Norwegian Kringla and love of rainstorms, birds (especially cardinals) and her favorite Mounds candy bars. She will be greatly missed by her large family and all who knew her, and we look forward to the day when we will see her again in God’s kingdom. Viola was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gordon, her siblings Genevieve (Bue); Bennie; Esther (Carrion); Austa (Barenthin); Casper; Doris (Keller); Adeline (Kohnert); Gavin; Vivian (Skorstad), children Barbara (Swendrowski) and Daniel and grandchildren Stephen Jr (Stevie) and Cynthia Reinke (Cindy). She is survived by her children, Gordon Jr (Theresa) of Racine, WI; Douglas (Mary) of Prior Lake, MN; Stephen (Kathleen) of Grafton, WI; William (Roxanne) of Bettendorf, IA; John (Pamela) of Nashville, IN; Paul (Patricia) of Malone, WI; Mark (Brenda) of Cudahy, WI; Elizabeth Slamka (Michael) of Racine, WI; Rebecca Vallee (Edward Jr) of Oak Creek, WI; and Deborah Paget (Richard) of South Milwaukee, WI. She is also survived by 41 grandchildren, 87 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren with several more on the way. Memorial Gathering will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Caledonia (4340 6-mile Rd., Racine) on Saturday, July 18 from 10AM to 11AM. Memorial Mass to follow at 11AM. There will be a luncheon to follow at the church, everyone is welcome. Interment will take place after the luncheon at Forest Hill Memorial Park at 2PM. Please meet at the cemetery at 2PM. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7