Mildred Inez McQuillan Kammerude, aged 98, of Monroe, formerly of Blanchardville, died on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital of age-related complications. She was born on September 19, 1914, the first born to Frank and Clara (Wahler) McQuillan in Argyle, Wisconsin.
She attended Argyle Schools, graduating in 1933. Mildred married Lavern John Kammerude on September 30, 1935 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blanchardville. They lived in various places while Lavern worked on bridge construction until they returned to the family farm in Yankee Hallow in Blanchard Township on Highway 78 near Blanchardville. After building a home there they raised their two sons Herb and Gary while farming the Kammerude and Kainz farms. The celebration of their 25th anniversary in 1960 was a most memorable family event.
Mildred was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church in Blanchardville and a member and past president of the Catholic Council of Women and also taught C.C.D. classes. She was a member of the Blanchardville American Legion Auxiliary. She actively supported her husband's interest in sulky horse racing at the county fairs with the most famous horse "Milvern Rod" named after her and her husband. Mildred also supported her husband in later years as Lavern became a self-taught artist, and was celebrated and renowned for his paintings of rural life and farm scenes. With her encouragement he painted over 600 paintings that are still displayed throughout the tri-state area. His paintings were celebrated in the book "Threshing Days: the Farm Paintings of Lavern Kammerude" and she shared in his honors by the State of Wisconsin and other artist groups. Her son Herbert died in June of 1982. Lavern died on September 26, 1989. Mildred moved to Blanchardville in 1990. Most recently she resided at St. Clare Friedenshiem in Monroe.
Mildred was the oldest member of the Kammerude family and the last of her generation of the McQuillan family. She is survived by her son Gary David and his wife, Audrey of Orange, Virginia; her grandchildren Larry Kammerude of Oceanside, CA, Edward Kammerude of Luck, Wisconsin, Diane Rubsam of Wellsville, Ohio, Debra Kammerude of Richmond, VA, Pamela Pike of Springfield, VA, Jeff Heflin, Manassas,VA, Gary David Jr. of Warrenton, VA, Kristi Peterson of Killdevil Hills, NC, Anna Rae Dellapenta of Blacksburg, VA and 19 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jonas Kammerude of rural Blanchardville and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, her son Herbert and her siblings: Glenn, Paul, Marie Knobel, Virginia Currie, and Frank Kenneth.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Church in Blanchardville on Thursday, January 24 at 11am with her nephew, Fr. Michael Klarer presiding, assisted by Fr. Thomas Gillespie, parish priest. Visitation will precede the Mass beginning at 9:30 am. Burial will be in the Calvary cemetery in Blanchardville. The Saether Funeral Home, Blanchardville is serving the family. In lieu of flowers memorials can be given in Mildred's name to assist family. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
She attended Argyle Schools, graduating in 1933. Mildred married Lavern John Kammerude on September 30, 1935 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blanchardville. They lived in various places while Lavern worked on bridge construction until they returned to the family farm in Yankee Hallow in Blanchard Township on Highway 78 near Blanchardville. After building a home there they raised their two sons Herb and Gary while farming the Kammerude and Kainz farms. The celebration of their 25th anniversary in 1960 was a most memorable family event.
Mildred was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church in Blanchardville and a member and past president of the Catholic Council of Women and also taught C.C.D. classes. She was a member of the Blanchardville American Legion Auxiliary. She actively supported her husband's interest in sulky horse racing at the county fairs with the most famous horse "Milvern Rod" named after her and her husband. Mildred also supported her husband in later years as Lavern became a self-taught artist, and was celebrated and renowned for his paintings of rural life and farm scenes. With her encouragement he painted over 600 paintings that are still displayed throughout the tri-state area. His paintings were celebrated in the book "Threshing Days: the Farm Paintings of Lavern Kammerude" and she shared in his honors by the State of Wisconsin and other artist groups. Her son Herbert died in June of 1982. Lavern died on September 26, 1989. Mildred moved to Blanchardville in 1990. Most recently she resided at St. Clare Friedenshiem in Monroe.
Mildred was the oldest member of the Kammerude family and the last of her generation of the McQuillan family. She is survived by her son Gary David and his wife, Audrey of Orange, Virginia; her grandchildren Larry Kammerude of Oceanside, CA, Edward Kammerude of Luck, Wisconsin, Diane Rubsam of Wellsville, Ohio, Debra Kammerude of Richmond, VA, Pamela Pike of Springfield, VA, Jeff Heflin, Manassas,VA, Gary David Jr. of Warrenton, VA, Kristi Peterson of Killdevil Hills, NC, Anna Rae Dellapenta of Blacksburg, VA and 19 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jonas Kammerude of rural Blanchardville and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, her son Herbert and her siblings: Glenn, Paul, Marie Knobel, Virginia Currie, and Frank Kenneth.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Church in Blanchardville on Thursday, January 24 at 11am with her nephew, Fr. Michael Klarer presiding, assisted by Fr. Thomas Gillespie, parish priest. Visitation will precede the Mass beginning at 9:30 am. Burial will be in the Calvary cemetery in Blanchardville. The Saether Funeral Home, Blanchardville is serving the family. In lieu of flowers memorials can be given in Mildred's name to assist family. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.