Mireille Lydie "Mimi" Mikulich-Rundell (Richard)

Mireille Lydie “Mimi” Mikulich-Rundell Heaven was made a little brighter on February 26, 2022.
Mimi was born in Hirson, France, on May 11,1928, to Charles Marie and Marie Louise Richard. Mimi was part of the Last Great Generation, experiencing the perils of World War II. Hirson is located near the Belgium border. In 1940, when Mimi was 12 years old, word came that the Germans had invaded Belgium. So her journey began. While walking down the streets of Hirson with her parents the ground suddenly started shaking. The Germans had invaded and were dropping bombs near the Hirson train station. They ran in the streets, taking cover in ditches or wherever they could. Bombs were falling all around them. Her father Charles went on to enlist as a French soldier to fight for his country. Unfortunately, Charles was captured and sent to a concentration camp. During WWI, Charles was captured and imprisoned in a concentration camp as well. It was a family joke that if there was a WWIII, whatever direction Charles would run, we would run the opposite way. As bombs were falling all around them, Mimi, her mother and cousins walked for days trying to get to allied areas. As refugees, they were assigned to trains and were transported from Hirson, to Paris, to Treguier, back to Paris, and finally home to Hirson. It would be years before she would see her father again. Charles managed to escape from the concentration camp in which he was held. They reunited in Paris and took the train back to their home in Hirson when the war ended. That is when Mimi met her first husband John Mikulich. Johnny was from Yugoslavia and came to America and later enlisted in the Army. Johnny was stationed in Foudrain, France, near Hirson. Hirson had a carnival and that is where Johnny met Mimi. Four months after D-Day Johnny and Mimi were wed in a civil marriage ceremony in Hirson in November of 1945. Johnny was sent back to the United States. Mimi became a war bride. To reunite with Johnny, with the aid of her aunt Emma who knew some English, Mimi had to board a train to the Port of La Harve and from there, board a ship with other war brides headed to America. She often talked about seeing the Statue of Liberty as she landed in America. Not knowing the language, Mimi, alone, had to find her way to Sugar Creek, Missouri to unite with Johnny. She got off at the wrong train stop and Johnny and his brother had to drive to Marceline, Missouri to find her. The story of her travel appeared on the front page of the Sugar Creek Herald, “the only paper in the world that gives a darn about Sugar Creek”. The first house she ever stepped foot in was the house she would later live in for the next 74 years until her passing. Mimi found employment as a waitress at Kross Tavern, Ernies Steak House, where she worked for 40 years. There she found many life-long friends. With Mimi’s charm and French accent, many colorful stories and memories were made and shared by family and friends for many years and years to come. Johnny died in 1978. In 1994 Mimi met the second love of her life, Tom Rundell. Together they found the joys of traveling. They traveled all over the United States and Europe.

Mimi and Tom could be found many evenings enjoying a cocktail on the front porch visiting with neighbors or waving at friends passing by in their cars. Tom passed away in 2009. Mimi leaves behind a legacy of family history and unforgettable stories, heartbreaking, as well as full of joy and laughter, to be told for many years to come. Mimi leaves behind her son John Charles (Chuck) (Sandy), her daughter Linda (Margaret), grandchildren Shawn (Serina), Keith (Jennifer), Nikki (Ben), and 4 great grandchildren. Step-daughters Sheila, Sharon, and step son Scott. Mimi also leaves behind many friends and family here and in France. Not forgetting her canine companion and caretaker, José, who stayed by her side during her challenging times. Mimi is now reunited with her always & forever beloved companion of 18 years, B.B., her miniature Schnauzer, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2021.

The family gives immeasurable praise to the walking angels at NorthCare Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to this wonderful, compassionate organization at, 2800 Clay Edwards Dr 2nd Floor, North Kansas City, MO. There will be a private grave side service. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

And finally, in Mimi’s own written words that she left in her drawer, she quotes the French artist Edith Piaf, “Non, Je ne regrette rien” (No, I have no regrets).

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)