Funeral services for 95-year-old Mildred Christians of Sibley, Iowa, formerly of Little Rock, Iowa, were held Thursday afternoon, February 26, 2015, at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock.
Burial followed in Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.
Col. Robert Hargens Jr. officiated at the services.
Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley handled the funeral arrangements.
Mildred Christians passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015, at the Sibley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sibley.
Mildred Marie Huls Christians was born in Lyon County, Iowa on May 5, 1919, the youngest of 13 children born to Lendert and Hiska (Eihausen) Huls. When Mildred was one, her family moved to a farm near Marshall, Oklahoma. Her parents retired when Mildred was eight-years-old and moved to Little Rock. Mildred graduated from Little Rock Public High School in 1936. She was very active in speech and drama in high school. Mildred worked for a gardener and as a hired housekeeper for many families.
On January 31, 1941, she married Ben Christians at the Salem Reformed Church parsonage in Little Rock. They moved to a farm near Allendorf, Iowa, where they farmed for four years. They then moved to a farm near Little Rock, farming there for four years, and then moved across the road, farming another six years. Following this, they purchased their present farm home in Viola Township, Osceola County, where Mildred continued to live until her health began to fail. She lived at Heartwood Heights in Sibley for a little over a year and then entered the Sibley Nursing and Rehab in January 2014.
The couple was blessed with six children, Gary, Bonnie, Leona, Beth, Metalynn and Ben. Mildred was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mildred was also a devout Christian. She was willing to share her faith in Jesus Christ with others. She was a faithful member of Salem Reformed Church and active in Willing Workers, choir and Guild. Mildred also taught Sunday School for many years. Mildred was a willing volunteer when help was needed. She was an avid reader and usually won the contest, often reading more than 100 books each year. She remembered people by sending many cards. She often presented apron skits and plays at nursing homes and churches. Mildred was involved in presenting short talks for school children reflecting on “the good old days.” Mildred was a wonderful homemaker. Her skills included cooking, baking, sewing, gardening and child care. Mildred loved children and provided child care for friends and relatives.
Mildred leaves to cherish her memories her children, Gary (Janet) Christians of Sibley, Bonnie (Robert) Hargens of Lincoln, Nebraska, Leona (Ed) Meendering of Sibley, Beth (Don) Pederson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Metalynn (Gary) Mohr of Owatonna, Minnesota and Ben, Jr. (Sheila) of Sibley; 15 grandchildren, Burnette and Brent Dove, Brent and JaNae Christians, Bonita and Grant Vietor, Millie and Craig Tillotson, Roberta and Douglas Brandt, Robert and Kelie Hargens, Eddie and Ally Meendering, Michelle and Trevor Tomkins, Charissa and Dave Cameron, Tiffany and Brent Albracht, Jonathan and Sharon Mohr, Benjamin and Amy Mohr, Jeremy and Becky Mohr, Adam and Amanda Christians and Heather and Nathan Marco and 36 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; her parents; four brothers, Ed, George, Thomas and John; eight sisters, Gerdena, Jennie, Meta, Anna, Jennie II, Olga, Harriet and Leona; one granddaughter, Rebecca and one great-granddaughter, Kennedy Faith.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Mildred Christians requested memorials be designated to Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock.