Letha Ann “Midge” (Billmeyer) Mihalakis, age 88, of Dubuque, IA was called home peacefully at 3:38 a.m., on Sunday, December 16, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Midge’s life, funeral services will be held 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, with Elder Tony Harvey officiating. To celebrate Midge’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

Midge was born on July 29, 1930 in rural Turkey River, IA, daughter of Frank Joseph and Elizabeth Ann Bolsinger. At the age of 18, Letha moved from Turkey River to Dubuque to work in the Button Factory. She was introduced by friends to her beloved husband, John “Junnie” Mihalakis, whom many times described her as “a fiery red-head”. Junnie knew at that moment that he had found the love of his life. They were married on February 23, 1949, in Dubuque, and the two were blessed with eleven children and sixty-nine wonderful years together. Junnie also bragged that in their sixty-nine years of marriage “we never once had a fight and repeatedly described her as the best woman in the universe.”

Midge happily embraced her full-time role of wife and mother, taking great pride in caring for her children and creating a home that was warm and inviting. She was a strong independent woman whose primary focus was her husband, her family and her home. Being the eldest in a large family herself, she also spent many years being caretaker to some of her younger siblings. Beyond a doubt, Midge’s family was the most important aspect of her life, and when the grandchildren started coming along, she was overjoyed to have even more little ones to share her love with.

When she managed to find a little free time in her days, Midge enjoyed spending time outside in the bright sunshine, tending to her beautiful flowers, in the same meticulous way she approached everything. Despite her private nature, she had an incredible sense of humor and a most contagious laugh that filled the room.

Her true gift to her family was a lesson in how to live a full life of contentment by embracing the simple things.

Midge enjoyed traveling whether it be a destination trip or a simple day out with her daughters. Midge and Junnie loved taking family vacations, fishing and entertaining at their home away from home in Winona, Minnesota. She had an affinity for her cats, “Baby”, Bertie” and “Sonny Boy”, providing them with the same love and affection she was known for throughout her life.

Midge was a selfless person whose compassion and love for life, fun and family had no boundaries. We are deeply saddened at the loss of our sweet Midge, the perfect embodiment of humility and simplicity, especially so close to the holiday season, but are eternally grateful for all the wonderful memories we have created throughout the years and will cherish forever.

Those left to cherish Midge’s memory include

her loving husband,
John P. “Junnie” Mihalakis, Dubuque, IA;

her children,
Viola McLaughlin, Dubuque, IA,
Janice Lenz, Dubuque, IA,
Debbie Oster, Hazel Green, WI,
Vickie (Pat) Ellis, Dubuque, IA,
Clyde (Tina) Mihalakis, Dubuque, IA,
Kim (Rich) Rink, Dubuque, IA,
Joleen (Jim) Hedley, Dubuque, IA,
Mark Mihalakis, Dubuque, IA
and Ann (Mike) Cicciarelli, Brownsburg, IN;

her 27 grandchildren;

her 52 great-grandchildren;

her 8 great great-grandchildren;

her siblings,
Richard L. (Cyndy) Billmeyer,
Alvin (Betty) Billmeyer,
Larry D. (Kathy) Billmeyer,
Wilma Jean Billmeyer-Moore
and Clarence “Pete” Horstman;

and a brother-in-law,
Merlin Hoisington.

Midge was preceded in death by her parents; 2 children, an infant son and daughter, Regina Kay; 2 sons-in-law, John McLaughlin, Jr. and James “Jim” Oster; her siblings, Evaline “Red” Ingles, Carol Ann Billmeyer, Shirley Ann Hoisington, Harold F. “Rusty” (Betty) Billmeyer, Clyde E. Billmeyer, George B. (Sharon) Billmeyer and Edna I. Billmeyer; her half-siblings, Ivan (Irma) Billmeyer, Fern (Earl) Herzog, Bertha D. (Everett) White, Donald J. (Florence) Billmeyer and Anna (Bill) Halfhill-Leik; and sister-in-law, Barbara Horstman.

Midge’s family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Kristin, for all of their kind, compassionate and professional care of Midge and the entire family.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among her favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com