Mildred “Mickey” Kirkpatrick

Mildred “Mickey” Kirkpatrick, 102, or Rockford passed away April 5, 2018 under the care of the Mercyhealth Palliative Care and Hospice Units. Mickey was born Mildred Friedericke Paulina Artus on October 16, 1915 in the town of Stettin, Wisconsin, the eldest of three daughters of Frank and Amanda (Krahn) Artus. Mickey’s family moved often, and she attended various schools in and around Wausau, Wisconsin, including a time at Wausau Senior High.

In the early 1940’s she joined her sister Mary in Chicago, where the two worked a variety of jobs and shared an adventurous life of two young women in the “big city”, including becoming ballroom dance instructors at the Aragon Ballroom. A promise of new opportunities in Rockford led Mickey and some friends to move there, where she became a waitress/hostess at a country club. It was there she met returning WWII soldier Edwin “Johnny” St. John. The two married in 1945. They had one child, David John, who died in infancy in 1953. Johnny suffered a heart attack and died at age 45 on July 4, 1966.

Mickey went to work as a receptionist at River Bluff Nursing Home, where she was employed for 14 years and later did volunteer work. She was also secretary of Third Presbyterian Church in Rockford. During this period Mickey pursued interests in sewing, crocheting and painting. In 1979 Mickey found love again and married Robert Kirkpatrick, who had been her neighbor. The two traveled extensively over the next year, taking several cruises and visiting many foreign countries. But sadly, Bob passed away in 1980, less than a year and a half into their marriage. Mickey continued to live in her own home until her late 90’s when she moved to an independent living apartment at Wesley Willows Suites.

Mickey is survived by one sister, Mary Stone, a niece Mary (Patrick) Plunkett and nephew Michael (Susan Harris) Kluetz, all of Wausau, WI; stepchildren Dr. James Kirkpatrick of Franklin, TN and Kaye (Richard) Bernardo of Bluffton, SC. She was preceded in death by sister Erna Kluetz and niece Judy (Kenneth) Klug of Wausau, and stepson Robert Kirkpatrick. The family would like to thank the staff of Wesley Willows Health Care and Mercyhealth for their care of Mickey during her final days.

Memorial service will be 12 pm Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Third Presbyterian Church. Visitation from 11 am until time of service. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Memorials may be directed to Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Salvation Army or Third Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL - Send online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.