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Her family, friends and new acquaintances always enjoyed hearing stories of her youth and marveled at her adventurous life, family said.

When she was 21, she met Glen Mielke on the old Douglas Bridge. They married on May 29, 1954. That year, they bought a house on Fritz Cove Road and lived there for 47 years. During those years, they raised four children and built a new house next to the old one. Late in life, and needing another adventure, they moved to Haines and enjoyed the small-town life for three years.

She enjoyed being with family, cooking, berry-picking, picnicking, trout fishing, hiking, growing flowers, reading and studying her Bible.

She belonged to the Sourdough Gems Club for many years. She also enjoyed her prayer group and Christ Care group. She was a member of Chapel by the Lake. She was known for her good sense of humor and a determined spirit.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Estrada; and most recently, in April 2006, by her mother, Alethea Houk.

She is survived by her husband; sons, Mark Mielke, of Haines, Carl Mielke and his wife, Mari, of Juneau; daughters, Jansy Hansen and her husband, Vincent, of Haines, Julie Orsi and her husband, Joe, of Juneau; sisters, Willow Ritter, of Juneau, and Molly Kitka, of Sitka; brother, Feliverto Estrada and his wife, June, of Sitka, and Ted Estrada and his wife, Juanita, of Cleveland, Tenn.; grandchildren, Allison Cowart and her husband, Josh, Stephanie and Nicholas Orsi, Kelly, Ann and Christine Hansen and Dylan Mielke; step-grandchildren, Hiedi Koski, Ryan and Marci Judson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Chapel by the Lake. Family and friends attended a graveside service on Oct. 17.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 439 W. Willoughby Ave., Juneau, AK 99801, to assist the homeless and mentally ill.

To contact the family, write to Glen Mielke at P.O. Box 975, Haines, AK 99827, call 766-3834, or call Julie Orsi at 789-3537.