Violet "Vi" Bartylla Mikel

Violet “Vi” Bartylla Mikel, 93, from Superior, WI passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.  Violet was born April 24, 1927 in Browerville, MN to Stanley and Frances (Twardowski) Bartylla.

Vi attended a one room schoolhouse through the 8 ^th grade in Browerville, MN and went to high school in Long Prairie, MN, graduating in 1944.  When she was young, the family farmhouse burned to the ground and the family of seven lived in the granary until they rebuilt.  In her youth, she enjoyed riding motorcycle and playing piano.  She was the pianist in the Jolly Aces band which included her brothers:  Art on clarinet and sax and Elvis on percussion.  Later, Vi went to work as a teller at the First National Bank of Sauk Centre, MN where she met her future husband, Michael (Mike) Mikel.  They were married August 8, 1953 in Sauk Centre.  They lived briefly in Sauk Centre, Moorhead and St Cloud, MN prior to moving to Superior, which they called home, in 1958.

Vi was a stay-at-home mom until her children reached school age.  She followed both her children and grandchildren in their academic, musical, and sporting endeavors.  Vi spent many years as a bookkeeper in woman’s retail, first at Light’s, and later Personal Apparel, both located in downtown Superior.  In 1982 she began working for her son Kevin, as bookkeeper and office manager at his dental practice in Superior’s Mariner Mall.  She continued in this role when he moved to his current office on Tower Avenue, retiring in 2014.

Vi was a volunteer in Superior’s “Paint the Town” and belonged to the Columbian Women Auxiliary.  She sang in the Cathedral Church choir and volunteered at various church events for many years.  Vi was an avid walker and enjoyed visits to FL, NE, SD, and WY to visit her out-of-town family.  She loved going to concerts, musicals, and local tourist sites.

Violet was preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, Michael; her beloved son James; sister Adeline Dorosh; and brothers Arthur and Emil (Elvis) Bartylla.  She is survived by her daughter Sandra (Michael) Bailey, daughter-in-law Becky Mikel, sons Kevin (Susan) Mikel and Terrence Mikel, and daughter Nancy (Michael) Przybylowski, nine grandchildren - Brett (Kristina) Bailey, Brooke Bailey, Bart Bailey, Carl Mikel, Kyle Mikel, Steven Mikel, Gerald Mikel, Richard Mikel and Daniel Mikel, great grandchild James, sister Virginia (Jean) Herkenhoff, and many nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID19, a private Mass of Christian burial is planned at Cathedral Christ the King with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Steven Mikel, Gerald Mikel, Richard Mikel, Daniel Mikel, Brett Bailey, Brooke Bailey and Bart Bailey. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Mikel and Kyle Mikel.

The family would like to thank Mariner Clinic, St. Luke’s Home Care, and St. Luke’s Hospice for their loving and professional care.

Should friends desire, memorials can be made in Violet’s name to Cathedral school or church.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.