October 13, 2022 at 3:03 p.m.
Laura Emma Miazga
Laura Emma Miazga
Laura was born on Nov. 20, 1924, in Jeffris, Wis., to Reuben and Blanche (Hampel) Bixby. She attended local schools in Bundy before moving into Rhinelander at age 16 to finish schooling and nanny for Rhinelander Daily News publisher Clifford Ferris. She was an excellent high school student, winning a writing award and enjoying music, literature, and languages (Latin and Spanish). Laura graduated in the top 10% of her high school class in 1943. She received a partial scholarship from the American Association of University Women. She then attended Mercy School of Nursing (today's UW-Oshkosh) and was a Nurse Cadet during World War II from September 6, 1943, until her graduation in September of 1946. She served with the U.S. Public Health Service Division of Nurse Education.
Laura was united in marriage to Henry Luke Miazga in Rhinelander on September 16, 1950. Together they had eight children: Peter, Patricia, Barbara, Vicki, Edward, Christine, Donna and Mark.
Laura was preceded in death by her daughters, Barbara, and Vicki, nine brothers and sisters, her husband, Henry, Henry's seven brothers and sisters, and numerous other relatives and friends.
She is survived by one sister, Judy Everson of Winneconne, and a brother, Leo (Gail) Bixby of Bundy. She is also survived by her children, Peter (Marla) Miazga, Edward Miazga, and Christine (Tony) Sisel of Rhinelander, Donna Miazga (Gerald Urben) of Waunakee, Patricia Simmons (special friend, Felix Olvera) of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Mark Miazga (Linda Starr) of Falcon Heights, Minn. She is further survived by grandchildren, Travis and Katy Miazga, Emily (Matthew) Berth, and Zachary Sisel of Rhinelander, Andrew Simmons (Katie Whidden) of Golden, Colo., Chloe Urben of Philadelphia, Pa., Sophie Urben of Waunakee and Henry S. Miazga of Falcon Heights, Minn. as well as great-grandchildren, August Berth and Kaiden Miazga, of Rhinelander, in addition to numerous nieces, and nephews.
Laura was well known for the quality and humane care she provided to thousands of mothers and babies as a labor and delivery, birthing, and neonatal nurse for many years at St. Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander until her retirement in 1991. Family and children were everything to her.
She also enjoyed knitting hats for babies, mittens for the mitten tree, (you were blessed if you received a pair of mittens) and providing warm blankets to her patients.
Laura was a very avid gardener and lover of music, singing, travel, genealogy, nature, knitting, the four seasons, colorama drives and history. She was also a Brewers and Packers fan.
She was a Cub Scout leader, and a member of the Audubon Society. She was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Rhinelander for over 70 years where she also taught CCD.
Memorial contributions in honor of Laura may be given to Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Rhinelander.
A nursing scholarship is also being created in her honor.
Laura will be remembered for her intellect, strong character and letters full of literature references, biblical passages and wisdom. She will also be remembered for her compassion, commitment to family, listening ear, and deep faith.
The visitation for Laura will take place on Thursday evening, Oct. 20, 2022, at the Hildebrand Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until the 7 p.m. Prayer Service, led by Dn. Dick Meier. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, located at 125 E. King Street. Please meet at church by 9:45 a.m. Fr. Chris Kemp will officiate. Immediately following the mass, there will be a procession to Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.
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