Mildred Ann Podmolik, 95, Phillips

Mildred Ann (Smidl) Podmolik, age 95, of Phillips, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 28th at Park Manor, Park Falls, WI surrounded by loved ones. She was born January 22, 1931, in the Town of Emery the daughter of Frank and Marie (Macak) Smidl. She attended elementary school in the town of Emery (Viola Villa) through fourth grade, continued her junior high at Miller Road School, and graduated from Phillips High School with honors in 1948. After graduation, she moved to Chicago to work for Western Electric. Later that year, on November 20, 1948 she married Frank Podmolik at Blessed Agnes Church in Chicago, IL, and returned to Podmolik family dairy farm in the town of Emery, WI.

In 1963, they moved to the current location on River Road where she continued to assist her son Chris with the Podmolik Family Farm – milking cows until the age of 79, and driving tractor

until age 85.

Mildred enjoyed spending time in the woods where she cut balsam, cedar, and pine boughs to

make Christmas wreathes. She was a warm-hearted homemaker who loved to cook, bake, and

garden. As a child of the great depression, she was incredibly resourceful and skilled in

harvesting all that her land had to offer. She routinely explored to find the best apples, choke

cherries, raspberries, and wild mushrooms, which she used for ingredients in her wonderful

baked goods, and she happily shared them with family and friends.

From foraging to baking, quilting to sewing, and as a steady farm hand, Mildred generously

shared her talents with all the people in her life. She enjoyed dancing, Pinochle, and was an avid

Scrabble player.

Mildred was a member of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic church, Council of Catholic Women,

and Lodge 236 Western Fraternal Life.

Ten children were born to Mildred and Frank. She is survived by eight children. Mary (Daniel)

King, Cedar Part, TX; Donald (Barbara) Hibbing, MN; David (Amy), Deerfield, WI; John

(Julie), Phillips, WI; James, De Pere, WI; Martin, Cumming, GA; Christopher, Phillips, WI; and

Timothy (Jodi), Phillips, WI; 23 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren and 4 great- great

grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank (October 10, 1989), infant son Joseph

(March19, 1958), daughter Fran (July 24, 2024), sister Lydia Alanzo, and by brothers Tony,

Clarence, Henry, Frank, Rudy, Jerry, Emil, and Bob Smidl.

Visitation for Mildred will be held on Thursday, May 7th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am followed by funeral mass at 11:00 am at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, Phillips with Fr. Madanu Lourdu Raju officiating. Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Phillips.

Our mother was an amazing woman who worked all her life, giving selflessly to her husband,

family, neighbors, and friends. There are no words to describe our loss.

The family would like to thank the staff at Park Manor for their care and compassion.

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com

HEINDL-NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.