Mildred 'Millie' Edyvean

WATERTOWN, Wis. - Mildred "Millie" Edyvean, 86, passed away peacefully with family at her side at the Marquardt Health Center on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Millie was born on March 14, 1927, in Bessemer, Mich., daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine (Karakas) Matonich. She graduated from A.D. Johnston High School with the class of 1945 and lived in the Yale location until her move to Watertown.

On Aug. 20, 1949 she married Irving "Singer" Edyvean in Bessemer. He preceded her in death on July 5, 1993.

A member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Millie faithfully attended until the time of her move. While active in the church, Millie helped with the numerous pasty sales.

Millie was a caring wife, mother and grandmother/nana. Whenever anyone paid her a visit, the coffeepot was always on and the cookie jar was always full. Even until the time of her death, the cookie jar was full (including a cookie jar for any dogs that stopped to visit her). Everyone was always welcome.

Millie was a stay-at-home mom for many years until she began working at the SuperValu in the meat department. Her granddaughters would fight over who would push the buzzer when they would stop to see her at the store.

Quite an athlete in her day, Millie played for the Yale Sluggers. She never lost her love of the game always playing in the yard with her children, as well as those in the neighborhood. Faithfully following the Milwaukee Brewers, Millie had a chance to attend a few games with her family. Otherwise she watched all the televised games, recording the wins and losses.

In 2009, she moved to the Mueller Apartments in Watertown where she flourished. There she loved to socialize, play bingo and attend Mass and rosary. Jigsaw puzzles also continued to be her passion. She loved to work them on her kitchen table and have others see the finished piece.

Besides her parents and husband, Millie was preceded in death by her brothers, Mike, Matt, John "Poncho" and Steve Matonich; and sisters, Mary Matonich, Ann Farrrow, Rosalie Wegrecki and Helen Tessier.

Millie is survived by her children, Jim (Nancy) Edyvean, Marathon, Debbie (Dave) Brevig, Bloomington, Minn., Mary-Kay Edyvean, North Branch, Minn., and Susie (Doug) Allen, Oconomowoc. She will also be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Jamie (Evan) Allison, Houston, Texas, Jessie (Aaron) Kurth, Slinger, Joe Blom, Palermo, N.D., Joy Edyvean, North Branch, and Carli Allen, Waukesha; as well as her great-grandchildren, Avery and Abby Kurth. Millie is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of service at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer. The Rev. Michael Hayden will be the celebrant.

A luncheon reception will follow the service at the church.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, in the spring.

Memorials may be made in Millie's name to St. Sebastian Catholic Church or the Marquardt Foundation, 1020 Hill St., Watertown WI 53098.

Arrangements are entrusted to Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, Bessemer.