Jon Mielke, 1952-2023

[EAGAN, MN, March 1, 2023]—With much sorrow, USA Curling reports the passing of Jon Mielke of Bismarck, ND.  

A 2012 inductee into the USA Curling Hall of Fame, Mielke loved to curl. But he also made extraordinary contributions off the ice, serving on the USA Curling Board of Directors, the Board of the region now known as the Dakota Territory, and the Boards of both the Capital Curling Club and the Minot Curling Club.  

He chaired the 2002 Men’s and Women’s World Curling Championships and 2002 World Senior Curling Championships in Bismarck. He was also the USA Curling liaison to the Grand Forks Organizing Committee for the 2008 World Men’s Curling Championship, was the official Team Leader at the Men’s World Championships in 2007 and 2008. 

As a competitor, Mielke won the 1997 North Dakota Men’s State Championship. He competed at multiple Mixed National championships and his team was the runner-up at the 2004 Senior Men’s National Championship. He also coached extensively at the junior level, and his son Matt was a member of the Chris Plys-led team that captured the 2006 Junior Men’s National title. 

For many, Mielke will be remembered for his work as a training and coaching leader. A Level III Instructor, Jon conducted countless courses, collaborated on camps and clinics, and wrote extensively on training and game improvement for USA Curling.

His belief in community and his support of others was not confined to our sport. In 2006, Mielke and his wife Carol were honored as Foster Parents of the Year in North Dakota. They became foster parents in early 2003, and made the decision to foster infants because, in their words, “they had room in their home and room in their hearts.’’ Over the years, they provided care to 45 vulnerable children and were active in the regional foster care association.  

USA Curling honors Jon Mielke’s lifetime of giving and achievement, and extends our condolences to his family and many friends. He’ll be missed.  

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the Mielke family suggests that donations can be sent in Jon’s memory to:

North Dakota Curling Foundation

165 E. Independence Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58503

USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, IHG, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling, as the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States, is also supported by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.