Mildred Viola (Mueller) Baldinger was born September 18, 1926 in Seward, Nebraska the daughter of John William and Theodora Natalie (Fiehler) Mueller and passed away on January 31, 2014 in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 87 years, 4 months, 13 days. Mildred was a 1944 graduate of Seward High School. Mildred was united in marriage to Albert Arthur Baldinger on December 29, 1946 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Tim, Ken and Christine. Albert and Mildred moved to Seward from Livonia, Michigan in 1987. Mildred loved Jesus, family and friends. She enjoyed reading, doing handwork and volunteering. Mildred is preceded in death by her parents, John and Theodora Mueller; her husband, Albert Baldinger in 2008; her brothers, Raymond Mueller, Edgar Mueller, Willard Mueller,and Reinhold Mueller; her sisters, Betty Murphy and Bernice Luebbe. Survivors left to cherish Mildred's memory include her children and spouses, Rev. Tim and Sue Baldinger of Matthews, North Carolina, Ken and Charlotte Baldinger of Seward, Christine and Rev. Merle Mahnken of Schleswig, Iowa; grandchildren, Mike and Robin Baldinger and their children, Brandon and Cooper; Mindy Miller, Matt and Carolyn Baldinger, Justin Baldinger, Kira and Eric Geiger and their children Trenton and Brielle, Sarah Mahnken, Hannah Mahnken; siblings and spouses, Verna Wied, Stanwood, MI, Harriet Klammer, Seward, John Mueller, Seward; brother-in-law, Dick Murphy, Phoenix, AZ; other relatives and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Mildred. Wouldn't you rather spend time with ________________ or doing_________________? You don t need to stay with me. Go ahead and ____________. We heard these words but did not listen because we were right where we wanted to be with Millie, our mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Born and raised in Seward, NE, Millie was a small town girl. One of ten children in a Christian family, her faith in Jesus was strong. She attended school in Seward and was active in her church. After graduation from Seward High School she had an opportunity for adventure. She left Nebraska and headed east to Michigan to live with her oldest sister, whose husband was a teacher. It was while living in Michigan that she was introduced to a young man from Detroit. Bert Baldinger told his friend after their first meeting, That s the girl I m going to marry. And he did. The newly weds moved to an acreage outside of the big city of Detroit. Soon they added a baby, boy to their small summer home. The house expanded, the family grew, and the city moved. By the 60s there were 3 children, several home additions, and the house was surrounded by highways, a mall, fast food chains, and suburbia. Millie was a full-time mother and enjoyed her children. There were tough times. She canned food from their large garden and sewed. Some treasured toys were handmade, but her children never worried. All three children were nurtured in their faith. Eventually every child graduated from a Lutheran High School, attended a Concordia University, and worked in church ministry. What a witness to a godly mother! After her children married and moved away, Millie finally got her dream remodel two bathrooms and a beautiful spacious kitchen. Retirement years neared and Seward, her birth place beckoned her, BUT not her husband. It took a summer of rowdy teenagers next door to get Bert to change his mind and put up a For Sale sign. One year later their address was in Seward. Millie gave up her new kitchen to be close to her son, Ken and his family. Bert discovered that small town life was not so despicable. The following years were filled with Milton Bradley games, cards, and cookie cutters. Move over Paula Dean ask any grandchild who made the best frosted cut out Christmas cookies! Oh, how grandma loved playing with her grandchildren! Just 2 weeks ago Sarah got out SORRY at Ridgewood and challenged her to a game! When she wasn't busy with her grandkids she took time for Bible Studies and prayer groups. For 20 years she met weekly with two sisters in the faith. She was thankful for opportunities to grow spiritually with other women. Grandma was gentle and patient with others, understanding and a woman of character. Who can remember an argument or harsh word? She was supportive and attended plays, concerts, dance recitals, graduations, and weddings as her grandchildren grew up. Then came the great-grandbabies, and oh how she loved holding those tiny ones. There is nothing sweeter than a baby! was her quote but we know she loved her daily chocolate almost as much. Millie s life was not easy. There were many personal challenges. She survived breast cancer, fibromyalgia, hearing loss, and 2 emergency brain surgeries. She coped with the unexpected death of a husband after 60 years of marriage. Then came 10-10-10. A stroke turned a right handed lady into a south paw. She smiled in her new home in Heartland. She was slower, but she did not grumble. She had new friends! Puzzles, games and books were still a part of her life as well as a walker. Being left-handed wasn't so tough. This past June another stroke struck her strong side and now Millie could not walk or write. Communication was difficult but God gave her strength and resilience. She fought back. Millie wanted to walk again, so she worked hard in therapy. Her convalescence time at Ridgewood was special because now she was living down the hall from her younger brother, Johnny. She gave up many of her favorite activities, but not her faith and trust in Jesus. She did not complain, but kept her peaceful disposition. She loved her window view, the visitors who dropped in, and especially weekend family gatherings. No, you are right, Millie, you are ordinary only with an X in front of it. You are extraordinary and we loved you and know we will see you again. In your new home there are no wheelchairs, walkers, or hoists. Toss those hearing aids! No more therapy sessions. You might miss that wonderful whirlpool bath, but you won t need it. We thank God for His loving gift to us, you, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. We treasure your example and celebrate with you as you bask in God s amazing grace in your new heavenly home. Run, leap, laugh, sing! Who does the calling at the square dances up there?