Mildred Persing

Mildred K. Persing, 91, of Stuart, Iowa, and formerly of Casey, Iowa, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2008, at the Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center, Iowa.

Mildred Katharine Schirm was born and baptized on April 8, 1916, on a farm in Summit Township, Adair County, Iowa, the daughter of Henry Ludwig and Emilie Freida Schirm.

On September 21, 1935, she was married to Gene Persing. After their marriage they moved into Casey. Mildred was still living in Casey up until about 4 years ago when she moved into the Stuart Community Care Center.

She cared for people and took in people who needed her help. The first person who came into her home was her aunt, Martha Lemke. Mildred cared for her from 1948-1964. Gretchen Hammon and Arthur Faga of Adair, and Grandma Chase of Stuart, were all people who she provided care for.

Mildred was a lifelong member of the Casey Legion Auxillary Kite Unit 359. She was also active in the 60+ Club.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where she was confirmed in April of 1930. Mildred was involved in the church and was a part of the St. John's Lutheran Women.

Mildred was an avid reader and loved to cook. She always told everyone that her family was her life. She will be greatly missed by all.

Mildred is survived by her daughters, Margaret Waddell and her husband, Wallace of Stuart, Iowa, and Carol Dickson of Omaha, Nebraska; her son, Larry Persing and his wife, Thelma of Longs, South Carolina; 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and her brothers, Al Schirm and his wife, Dixie of Walnut, Iowa, and Leonard Schirm and his wife, Dolly of Falls Church, Virginia.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Emilie Schirm; her husband, Gene; her daughter, Pat Arneson; her son, Jay Persing; and her great-granddaughter, Jennifer Renee Gilman.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Casey, Iowa, with visitation one hour prior to the services also at the church.

Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Adair, Iowa. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church in Casey.

Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Casey, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.