In the afternoon of February 27 ^th , 2023, after 26 years of patiently waiting, Mildred reached for her late husband Gordon's hand as he welcomed her to their eternal home.

Visitation for Mildred will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church, N1529 WI-73, Markesan, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Marquette.

Mildred Hilda Hoffmann was born April 27th, 1929 to Michael and Martha Zeitlow Hoffman. On June 4 ^th , 1949 she was married to Gordon Draeger, whom she met at a local dance and informed her sister upon first meeting him that he would be the man she was to marry. This should have been his first clue as to who would rule their roost! They planted their roots in Marquette, Wisconsin where together they raised their four children: Wayne Draeger, Judy (Keith) Dickerson, Betty (Greg) Suwanski and David Draeger and a bonus son, Craig Schmuhl.

Mildred made a profession out of caring for children. Throughout the years her days were filled with caring for her family and her grandchildren: Jennifer (Allen) Henke, Jon (Angela) Suwanski, Kristina Wilder, Rebecca Suwanski, Sarah (Tim) Gabrielski and Michael Suwanski. Mildred's home was always filled with the patter of children's feet as she also had her extended daycare family, Geoffrey, Kevin, Chad, Tiffany, Ashley, Amanda and Danielle, and many others.

But her greatest joys, beyond any other, were her great-grandchildren: Spencer, Gabe, Victoria, Alyssa, Elijah, and Everett. The sound of their voices or a glimpse of their faces would bring a beaming smile to her face. She filled their hearts with her love and giggles, enough to last a lifetime and beyond. Mildred is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; brothers, Gilbert, Howard, Clarence, Lester, Harley, Merlin, Elmer & Arnold Hoffman; and sisters, Evelyn Pahl, Verna Paul and Bernice Sanders, and their spouses as well as her in-laws Herman and Anna Draeger, and sisters-in-law Elsa Mildebrandt, Ruth Walker, Edna and Meta Draeger.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Matthew Ude for his visits and prayers, as well as the staff of Markesan Residents Home for caring for Mildred throughout these last years. Your commitment to her comfort and happiness are so greatly appreciated.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family.