Mildred Marie Christians

Little Rock, IA Mildred Christians, age 95 of Sibley, IA, formerly of Little Rock, IA died Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Sibley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Sibley, IA. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA with Col. Robert Hargens Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, IA. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 25th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA. The Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley is in charge of arrangements. Mildred Marie Huls Christians was born in Lyon County, Iowa on May 5, 1919. the youngest of thirteen children born to Lendert & 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, Iowa. Mildred graduated from Little Rock High School in 1936. She was very active in speech and drama in high school. She 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 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 a little over a year and then entered the Sibley Nursing & Rehab in January, 2014 until her passing on February 20, 2015. They were 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 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, & 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 & plays at nursing homes & 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 & child care. Mildred loved children and provided child care for friends & relatives. Mildred leaves to cherish her memories, the children: Gary & his wife, Janet of Sibley; Bonnie & her husband, Robert Hargens of Lincoln, NE; Leona & her husband, Ed Meendering of Sibley; Beth & her husband, Don Pederson of Grand Forks, ND; Metalynn & her husband, Gary Mohr of Owatonna, MN; and Ben, Jr. & his wife, Sheila of Sibley; plus 15 precious grandchildren. They are Burnette & Brent Dove, Brent & JaNae Christians, Bonita & Grant Vietor, Millie & Craig Tillotson, Roberta & Douglas Brandt, Robert & Kelie Hargens, Eddie & Ally Meendering, Michelle & Trevor Tomkins, Charissa & Dave Cameron, Tiffany & Brent Albracht, Jonathan & Sharon Mohr, Benjamin & Amy Mohr, Jeremy & Becky Mohr, Adam & Amanda Christians, Heather & Nathan Marco. Also, 36 great-grandchildren. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Ben, her parents, four brothers: Ed, George, Thomas, John and eight sisters: Gerdena, Jennie, Meta, Anna, Jennie II, Olga, Harriet, Leona and one granddaughter Rebecca and one great-granddaughter Kennedy Faith. I John 3:1a How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! In lieu of flowers, the family of Mildred Christians requests memorials be designated to Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA.