Obituary of Mildred Stahlecker

Mildred Viola Stahlecker was born September 29, 1914 to Henry & Lily Fanselau in the Smoky Hill community. Mildred attended the Smoky Hill School through the 10th grade, always enjoying her studies. In 1928, Mildred won the Kit Carson County spelling bee and represented the County at the state level bee held in Denver. Having no brothers, Mildred often helped her father in the fields, and she was adept at hitching up a four-horse team. Mildred married Robert Stahlecker in 1934, and they farmed two quarters and raised some cattle north of Bethune for several years, living in an adobe home built by Robert. Robert played Hawaiian guitar and Mildred sang along with him. Mildred often stated it was a happy life. Mildred and Robert adopted their son, John Dennis, when he was nine years old. He was later killed in an automobile accident after relocating to live near his brother in Tennessee. Mildred and Robert also sponsored a “daughter”, Mary Willingham, from Girl’s Town many years ago, who now lives in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. Mildred worked at the Ben Franklin store in Burlington for several years, and she enjoyed babysitting for several families as well as housecleaning for others after she and Robert moved into town. Reading was one of her favorite hobbies. In her later years, Mildred enjoyed helping the seniors at Grace Manor play bingo weekly. Mildred died peacefully on October 27, 2009 at the age of 95 years. Preceding her in death were her parents, her beloved husband, Robert, their son, John Dennis, and Mildred’s sister, Leona Wiedman. Survivors include Mildred’s sister, Geneva Wohlgemuth, who lives in the Pacific Northwest, granddaughter Carol Ann Naugle of Sterling, Colorado, nephews Craig, Loren and Mark Wohlgemuth of the Pacific Northwest, Garvin Wiedman of Burlington, Colorado, and Darrell Wiedman of Denver, Colorado, niece Gladys Stolz of Burlington, Colorado, Mildred’s sponsored daughter, Mary Willingham, of the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, and several great nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Mildred were held on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, with Pastor Jeff Hanson officiating. Memorials may be made in Mildred’s name to the Burlington Public Library and may be left at or sent to the Bank of Burlington in Burlington.