Mildred Dettmer, Age 96

Mildred Ruby (Suchsland) Dettmer passed away Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Downs Care and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 96. She was born on May 22, 1920 to Henry and Margaret (Levin) Suchsland.

Mildred was raised on a farm north of Agra, Kansas. She attended country school, and then graduated from Agra High School in 1939. She was united in marriage to Wilbur (Bill) Dettmer on December 21, 1941 at the St. John Lutheran Church parsonage in Kensington, Kansas. They were blessed with four daughters, Janice Arlene, Carol Ann, Gloria Jean, and Anita Kay.
Mildred's faith was very important to her. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and continued that commitment throughout her life. That faith carried her through the loss of two babies and a husband that served in WWII and was away for three years. After Bill passed away in 1984, Mildred continued to lean on that faith and serve as a pillar to her family. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington.

Mildred learned at an early age the importance of hard work. She worked for families in the area as a young teenager, and then continued that work ethic throughout her life. She worked as a cook for the Kensington schools for 33 years. She enjoyed her job and always loved seeing the kids come through the line. Mildred also worked with Bill on the farm spending many hours in the field on the tractor or taking care of the livestock.

Mildred had many interests that kept her busy. She loved being outdoors and could make anything grow. Her yard was always full of beautiful flowers throughout the spring, summer and fall. She also loved watching her birds, so the bird feeders had a spot in her garden, too. When she wasn't outside, she enjoyed baking and "seeing what she could stir up". She loved sharing her cinnamon rolls, pies and cookies with her family and friends. She also did beautiful embroidery work, quilting and crocheting and shared many of those projects with her family. She, along with other members of the church quilting group, quilted many projects for many people.

Out of all of Mildred's interests, her family was most important to her. She held and rocked many babies, played horsey with them as they got older, made milkshakes and cinnamon rolls, watched them in their activities and always loved all their visits. She was the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother any child could ask for!

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, daughters Carol and Gloria and sisters Verna and Margaret.

She is survived by daughters Janice Kuhlman, Grand Island, NE and Anita (Nick) Palmer, Kensington. She is also survived by her grandchildren Tim (Tracie), Phil (Candy) and Mike (Angie) Kuhlman and Deb (Steve) Jardine, Brian, Trenton, Kirk and Michelle Palmer and Hilary (Zach) Mannel and her great-grandchildren Anna and Tessa Kuhlman, Taylor, Jacob and Ben Kuhlman, Jaden, Brooke and Jordan Jardine, Gavin Kuhlman, Kyra and Kylee Palmer, Remi Palmer and Sophie and Greta Ruby Mannel. Sister-in-law Eulonda Hagman also survives along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

VISITATION
Wednesday, Feb 22
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary
116 W. First Street
Smith Center, KS 66967

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICES
Thursday, Feb 23
2:00 PM
St. John Lutheran Church - KENSINGTON
708 N Main
Kensington, KS 66951

BURIAL
St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery - KENSINGTON
N Main
Kensington, KS 66951

Memorial Contribution
IN HER NAME
116 W First
Smith Center, KS 66967

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA