Gowrie- Vicki Joanne Mischke, 74, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City following a short illness.
A visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 PM Monday, September 25, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie. Private family services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Gowrie Township Cemetery. Palmer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Vicki was born April 27, 1949, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was the second of five children born to Harold and Betty (Payne) Hintch. She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1967. On September 19, 1970, Vicki was united in marriage to the love of her life, Darrel Mischke, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie, Iowa. A small reception was held in the church basement, with Hasty’s ice cream cups. They celebrated 53 years of marriage together while she was in the hospital. Vicki and Darrel were thoroughly enjoying their retirement years together, relishing in many fishing adventures and vacations with the family. Just this past summer, they went to Colorado with the Jepsen family and Minnesota with the Martens family. She also spoke often about a memorable trip to Florida with Rob and Jill and was hoping to do it again soon. Vicki loved a good bargain so weekly shopping trips together to Aldi and Menards were ritual. Simple country road trips, scouting out new hunting spots for Darrel, was also a favorite. They were each other’s best friends.
Together they had three children- Rob (Jill) Mischke of Fort Dodge, Rachel (Kurt) Martens of Bondurant and Angie (Troy) Jepsen of Farnhamville. Vicki was beyond proud of her children. She loved to brag about their accomplishments to anyone who would listen, always saying how lucky she was. Advice from mom was frequently needed- whether it was about cooking, raising kids or marriage- she was always just a phone call away. Besides her own children, Vicki ran an in-home daycare for 30 years, raising more than 50 kids. She was a sought after daycare provider in Gowrie. When she retired in 2013, many of her former daycare kids were there to show their love and appreciation. Vicki was also “mom” to so many of Rob, Rachel and Angie’s friends growing up. She made everyone feel at home at the Mischke house.
Family gatherings and holidays were some of her favorite times. She was looking forward to a big, family fish fry in the coming weeks. She cooked and prepared for days and always wanted everything to be perfect. The loud laughs and music coming from the four-season room could be heard for blocks. If Michael McDonald was playing, her eyes were closed, and she was singing along and swaying. Seeing him twice in concert was something she cherished.
Vicki was an amazing cook. From pies and cookies, to potato salad and pumpkin bars, you would often hear someone say, “these aren’t Grandma’s pumpkin bars or this isn’t Mom’s potato salad.” Her recipes will live on but will never be the same. Vicki took great pride in her meticulous home and yard. She enjoyed her beautiful flowers and plants.
Vicki’s grandchildren were her pride and joy. She never missed a sporting event or a music concert. She would beam from the stands, proudly wearing Jaguar and Bluejay gear. Grandma’s giant hugs and cooking were the best and will be greatly missed by Chad (Laura) Carlson, Nick (Dani) Carlson, Ryan Carlson, Noah (Onica) Jepsen, Seth Jepsen, Aden Jepsen, Owen Martens and her only granddaughter, Elsie Martens, as well as great-grandchildren Rial, Archie, Gus, Cayl and Cade Carlson and two great-grandbabies on the way.
Also left to cherish her memory are her sister, Connie Trusty, brother Mark (Marsha) Hintch, sister, Pam Scharf, and aunt, Arlene Hintch. Many nieces and nephews also adored Aunt Vic.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Scott, whom we have no doubt, she is currently sharing a cold beer with.
Memorials may be left to family discretion.
