September 9, 2019 – Waukesha County, WI – Carmen Mockrud (nee Brieske), 95, died on September 5, 2019. She was born March 8, 1924 on a farm near Elkhart Lake, to the late Henry and Caroline Brieske (nee Schuler).
After graduating from Kiel High School, Carmen earned her Registered Nurse diploma at Michael Reese Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. She worked in nursing in Portland, Oregon and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon. Carmen then returned to Wisconsin and worked as a public health nurse in the Waukesha County Nurse’s Office. She married Harry Mockrud on November 25, 1959.
After the establishment of the Waukesha County Health Department, she was appointed Nursing Director of the Department. Carmen took a year’s leave of absence in 1965 and went to Ann Arbor, Michigan where she earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan. Carmen returned to the Waukesha County Health Department and was appointed by Governor Warren Knowles to serve on the Commission on Statewide Planning for Nursing, created to study the nurse shortage and identify ways to recruit more nurses.
She also worked with the nursing program at Marquette University to provide fieldwork and experience for nursing students. Carmen was active in the Wisconsin League for Nursing and served on its Board of Directors from 1975-1977. The organization recognized her for her role in establishing a branch in Western Wisconsin. She also served on the advisory committee for the Nursing Assistant program at Waukesha County Technical College from 1974-1980 and on the ad-hoc committee on the Associate Degree in Nursing program from 1976-1980. Carmen later served as the Director of Nurses at the Waukesha County Home and Hospital (later known as Northview Home) until her retirement in 1981.
Throughout her life Carmen encouraged others to pursue education and achievement and generously helped people in need. She traveled extensively around the world to destinations including Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Equador, the Galapagos Islands, and Scandinavia. She was an accomplished cook and also enjoyed baking, gardening and reading.
Carmen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Carl, and her beloved husband Harry. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and my dear friends, especially Jean Miller, G. Michael Mosley M.D., and Cherie and Charlie Walker of McMinnville, Oregon.
Memorials may be sent to the Museum of Wisconsin Art, 205 Veteran Ave., West Bend, WI 53095 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. A private family service will be held at a later date.
The Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Home of West Bend has been entrusted with Carmen’s arrangements.
