Mildred Slack
Obituary
Mildred (Steward) Slack passed away on
Wednesday (Nov. 28, 2018). She was a supermom to her six children who
are extremely proud of her and who will all miss her very much.
Mildred was loved and adored by her children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, their families, her siblings, dozens of nieces
and nephews and their families, many close friends and the countless
people whose lives she positively impacted over her 87 years. She was
a role model of strength, wit, humility and forgiveness - truly an
amazing person.
Mildred was born Jan. 10, 1931 in
Aurora, Nebraska, to Glen and Gladys Steward. Mildred joined her
older twin sisters, Mary and Martha, and brother, Tom. Two years
later, Mildred became a big sister when her third sister, Marilyn,
was born. Mildred graduated from high school in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in
1948 and from the University of Northern Iowa in 1950. She was a
fourth grade teacher. Mildred married Gene Slack in 1951. After a
short time in Georgia, they moved to Newton in 1953.
Mildred dedicated much of her life to
serving others in her community. She was a member and leader of the
First Presbyterian Church for 65 years, serving as a Deacon, a Ruling
Elder, Sunday School teacher, youth leader and member of the Choir,
Bell Choir, Cruisers, Building and Grounds Committee and United
Presbyterian Women. Mildred was also a member and leader of
Roundtable, PEO member and four-time President, 4-H leader, member of
Bridge Club and, in 1970, was named Newton Woman of the
Year-Religion.
When Mildred was 50 years old, she went
to nursing school at Hesston College and retired as a Registered
Nurse from Newton Medical Center after 17 years. For the last 20
years, she served as a hospice volunteer, continued to work for her
church (best weed puller ever) and has been a volunteer and caregiver
to many.
What's more, Mildred cherished the good
times with her friends and family. She was an enthusiastic sports
fan, enjoyed sketching and painting, traveling with and to see family
and having coffee and laughing with her Newton friends and her Good
Old Oskaloosa Friends ("GOOF").
Mildred survived cancer three times
over a period of 55 years. She was diagnosed in November 2018 with
the same cancer for the fourth time. As she began her end of life
journey, Mildred was fortunate to be able to spend special time with
close friends, family and her six children. She had her wit and sense
of humor to the end.
Mildred is survived by her six
children: David (Cheryl) Slack of Lawrence, Tom (Jeannie) Slack of
Leawood, Janis (Tom) Fitch of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jill (Brent)
Beckman of Leawood, Nancy (Chip) Davis of Wheaton, Illinois, and
Carol (Lisa Lusk) Slack of Leawood. She is also survived by 12
grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Martha
(Steward) Smith of Mitchellville, Maryland, and Marilyn (Steward)
Gregson of Olympia, Washington.
Mildred was preceded in death by
parents, Glen and Gladys (Wessling) Steward; sisters, Mary (Steward)
Hanna and Julia Steward; and brother, Tom Steward.
There will be a celebration of life
honoring Mildred at 1 p.m. April 1, 2019, at the First Presbyterian
Church, Newton. A memorial service will be held in Grand Junction,
Iowa, on April 3, 2019.
Memorials are suggested to the Good
Samaritan Fund at the Newton Presbyterian Manor and the First
Presbyterian Church, Newton.
Please send cards to the attention of
Carol Slack, 14340 Norwood St., Leawood, KS 66224.
www.petersenfuneral.com.
