Mildred Rose Zuercher, 91, of Garber, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Stoney Brook Village in West Union. She was born on October 2, 1934, in Petersburg, Iowa, to Frank and Rose (Mormann) Althoff.
Mildred graduated from eighth grade in Dyersville and later completed her GED. She often told stories of the one room schoolhouse and her classmates.
She was married to Ben Zuercher on April 21, 1954, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg. Their union resulted in the birth of nine children: Robert (Wynn) Zuercher of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Joe (Linda) Zuercher of Postville; Geralyn (Barbara) Zuercher of Decorah; Wayne (Karen) Zuercher of Guttenberg; Julie (Brian) Doeppke of Elkader; Sue (Dave) Barmore of Cedar Rapids; Lee (Cami) Zuercher of Holy Cross; Douglas (Jennifer) Zuercher of Round Rock, Texas; and Michael (Bridget) Zuercher of Cedar Rapids. Mildred loved having a large family and she was excited each time another grandchild and great-grandchild was added to her family.
Mildred and Ben attended St Michael’s Catholic Church in Garber until its closing. She would often attend daily Mass and would lead the Rosary.
The Zuerchers were farmers. Mildred cherished living in rural Iowa and being a farmer. She also worked at Casey’s General Store in Guttenberg where she made many friends. She always greeted others with a smile and a lengthy chat.
Survivors include her children, 29 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ben, who passed away on June 23, 2018; son Lee Zuercher, who passed away on Nov 8, 2009; daughter-in-law Wynn Zuercher, who passed away on Dec 22, 2023; and siblings Theodore, Sylvester, Ambrose, Emil, James, and Verna.
A rosary will be held at 3:30pm on Monday, May 25, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader, followed by a Vigil service then – Visitation will from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Visitation is not scheduled prior to Mass on Tuesday. If you plan to attend-please be seated when you arrive.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader, with Rev. Paul Baldwin as the Celebrant.
Interment will take place on Tuesday following the funeral luncheon at 2:30 pm at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Petersburg, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader has been entrusted with handling the arrangements for the family.