Sylvia Mae Cullado

Sylvia Mae Cullado, devoted wife and mother, passed away on November 19, 2023. She was born on January 1, 1938 in Eau Claire Wisconsin, the second daughter of  Paul  and Margaret Mikesell. After graduating from high school, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and earned her RN nursing diploma from Swedish Hospital.  While in nursing school, she met a handsome resident physician from the Philippines, Andrionico Cullado, and Sylvia’s life as a small town Wisconsinite changed forever. Sylvia and Andy fell in love quickly and taught each other their different cultures. They married in 1960 and their mixed-marriage status generated quite a bit of attention—some positive and some negative. But Andy’s charm and Sylvia’s strength overcame the obstacles they encountered.  

Sylvia and Andy began their careers together as doctor and nurse. They also started a family, managing those early baby days by working different shifts. As the family grew, Sylvia stayed home to care for the children, but she always kept her nursing license and skills current. Sylvia resumed her profession when her last child was in middle school, and she quickly rose to leadership positions. She served as the Head Nurse of the Ob/GYN unit at North Memorial Hospital. She became the Director of Nursing at St. Olaf Skilled Nursing facility, and she was office manager and lead nurse at two physician practices. Sylvia enjoyed nursing and continued to work until her retirement at the remarkable age of 79.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sylvia’s main passion was her family. She delighted in making family events festive—both holidays and everyday occasions. Sylvia would spend weeks preparing for a family party, cooking multi-course gourmet meals and creating beautiful tablescapes. She learned and perfected Filipino cuisine to the joy of her husband, who adored her for cooking. Sylvia was also an accomplished pianist and shared her love of music with her family. The family often gathered around the piano singing together. They also sang together in the car on road trips back and forth to their cabin on the lake. Their children especially loved to hear Sylvia and Andy sing duets together or watch them dance. The couple loved each other deeply, and their love warmed the home. After Andy retired, the couple moved to Wichita, Kansas to be near their children and their beloved grandchildren. Family was everything to Sylvia.        

Sylvia was a creative and industrious person, who had many interests and capabilities. She used these talents throughout her life in so many different roles, always with excellence and passion. Sylvia was a seamstress, a quilter, a gardener, a Girl Scout troop leader, a school room mother, a church choir director, a church pianist and organist, an avid sports fan, a lover of dogs, and an organizer of games in her independent living community. She lived with force—full strength ahead in all things.    

Sylvia was preceded in death by her beloved husband of forty-seven years, Andrionico Cullado, her parents Margaret and Paul Mikesell, and her sister Janice Davidson.  Sylvia's legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:  Dr. Michael and Susan Cullado (son),  Peggy and Gregory Hephner (daughter), Maria and Dan Loon (daughter), Michael  and Rachel Hephner (grandson),  Samuel and Anna Cullado (grandson), Sean and Emily Hephner (grandson), Jacob and Brynley Loon (grandson),  Jonathan Loon (grandson), Adeline Hephner (great-granddaughter), Isabel Hephner (great-granddaughter), David Hephner (great-grandson).

To commemorate Sylvia's life and honor her memory, a Funeral Service will be held on November 26th at Cozine Life Events Center in Wichita, Kansas. The service will begin at 2:00 PM, and friends and family are invited to attend and pay their respects.

Memorials have been established with:

Malawi Clean Water Project

c/o First Church of the Nazarene

1400 Kellogg Dr.

Wichita, KS 67211