George H. Mondeik, age 82, formerly of Gleason, died Saturday, December 18, 2010, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.
George was born June 17, 1928, in Merrill, son of the late John and Kate (Laya) Mondeik. He married Marian June Peterson on October 2, 1954. She preceded him in death on August 29, 2008. George and Marian had dairy farmed in the Gleason area for 25 years, and he was also a Rural Letter Carrier for over 30 years. George was a member of the Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Gleason. He served as the manager of the Gleason Cemetery for many years. George enjoyed snowmobiling; farming; and visiting with his customers on his mail route. George was very proud of his Latvian heritage and was considered the local historian for the Latvian community. He was the founder and C.E.O. of the family’s “Baltic States Maple Syrup Company”. George’s great enjoyment came with time spent with his family. George was a veteran of the U.S. Army and had been stationed in Germany.
Survivors include his six children, Diane Mondeik, Antigo, Jeffrey (Barbara) Mondeik, Gleason, Heidi (Mondeik) Olsson, Pensacola, FL, Peter (Shelly) Mondeik, Gleason, Rebecca (Gordon) Mondeik-Smith, Casco, Maine, and Andrew Mondeik, Gleason; eleven grandchildren, Justin D. Mondeik, Jennifer (fiance, Justin Benton), Stacey Mondeik, Trevor and Andrew Olsson, Ellen and Justin R. Mondeik, Graham and Wyatt Smith, and Daria and Peyton Mondeik; and one sister in law, Shirley Peterson, Wausau. George is preceded in death by a daughter in law, Jean (Rajek) Mondeik; a sister, Alma Rice; and a brother, John Mondeik.
The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 23, 2010, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Gleason. The Rev. Steven L. Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Gleason Cemetery, Town of Russell, with graveside military rites conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 9:00 A.M. Thursday at the church.
The family has suggested memorials be directed to the Gleason Community Club.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com