ROCHELLE — Mildred Esther (Messmann) Tomlinson was born Jan. 7, 1922 in Milwaukee, Wis. She died peacefully with her family at her bedside on Feb 17, 2010. She was the daughter of Richard Christian Messmann and Elsie Kolough Weigmann Messmann.
Mildred graduated from a high school in Jefferson, Wis., in 1939. She attended Evangelical Deaconess School of Nursing in Milwaukee, Wis. She was past president of United Methodist Women's Club and long-time member of the Rochelle Service Club.
She married Thomas Elton Tomlinson on July 31, 1941 in Maquoketa, Iowa. Her children are Thomas L. Tomlinson, of Rockford; and three daughters, Laurel Yates, of Rochelle, Patricia (Dennis) Cote, of Hampshire, and Valerie (Walter) Weiss, of Huntley; grandchildren, James (Dawn) Timmons and Michelle (Scott) Schipper, Daniel Cote, Eric Cote, Cameron (Kim) Cote and Kelley Cote, Melissa (John) Battaglia, Michael Meisener, Marnie (Brad) Wenger and Melissa Weiss; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her husband in December 1983; a sister, Gladys (Mrs. Royce) Hix; brothers, Gilbert (Gib) Messmann, Norman (Rusty) Messmann, George (who died in infancy); an unnamed sister, who was stillborn; and a son-in-law, Mitchell Yates.
She leaves behind numerous close friends and relatives, who will remember her most for her love of playing bridge and her wonderful sense of humor.
Memorial services will be Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 at 11AM with Rev. Brett Todd at Rochelle United Methodist
Church in Rochelle, IL. Visitation one hour prior to the service at 10 AM Saturday. Memorials can be made
to Rochelle United Methodist Church or to Bethany Healthcare Center. Arrangements by Unger-Horner Funeral
Home.
A private interment service will take place at a later date at the Lake Lawrence Cemetery, rural Westfield, Wis.