Mildred Barbara Rutledge

Funeral Service for Mildred Rutledge age 93, of Hay Springs, NE formally of Clearwater were at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010 at Snider Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Daniel Feusse, officiating. Music was provided by Aaron Blunt. Burial was at the Clearwater Cemetery. Pallbearers were All the Neices & Nephews. Visitation was 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2010 at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater.

Mildred passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Hay Springs, NE. Snider Memorial Funeral Home of Clearwater is handling the arrangements.

Mildred Barbara Filsinger was born on January 28, 1917, to Daniel and Ellen (Lymath) Filsinger, in Elgin, NE. She was their 8th child, and was nicknamed Tootie by her father. He later told her that Tootie means a cute little dame with a pretty brow. She moved with the family to their farm northwest of Elgin, when she was small. She attended Park Center School, and graduated from the 10th grade. Tootie described herself as a tomboy. She liked to play outside, talked of swinging on a rope attached to the barn roof. She also said she liked to tease - especially her younger sister. Her hair was always curly, and she said she would cry when her mother combed it. As a young women, she worked at different farms around the area, assisting with housework, cooking, and childcare. On September 10, 1939, Mildred married Lawrence Elbert Rutledge, in Fullerton, NE. She became a step mother to his 2 young sons, Dick and Jack. To this union 2 more children were added Danny Thomas in 1942 and Bonnie Laureen in 1950. They lived in Clearwater, except for a short time in Oregon and another short time in Norfolk. Mildred worked at the Phone Office in Clearwater, Wintz Store, Hoffman's Store, the bowling alley, and L Bar B, throughout the years. In the early 1970's Mildred returned to school, earned her GED, and became a Certified Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide. She was very proud of these accomplishments. She then worked at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh, for several years. She also cared for people in her home and worked for Green Thumb for several years as an area leader. Lawrence passed away in 1989. On February 7, 1994, she married Woodrow Gaughenbaugh, in O'Neill, NE. They had 3 happy years together before he passed away in 1997. Mildred moved to Hot Springs, SD, in 2001, to be closer to family. She enjoyed bowling, dancing, and most of all she cherished her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as her siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and the whole large wonderful family. She cooked for herself and her family, drove her car, and remained independent until she entered Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs, NE in 2008. The staff at Pioneer became her extended family. She shared memories of her life with her family with the extended family. She was baptized and confirmed a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Clearwater, NE.

She is survived by her son, Dan, of Chadron; daughter, Bonnie and son-in-law Larry Blunt, of Chadron, grandchildren, Johnny and Murry Dennis, Tom and Susi Rutledge, Tim and Mardell Rutledge, and all of their families. Adam and Jake Blunt, Aaron Blunt, Andrew Blunt, Anthony Blunt, Allison and Austin Butterfield and Torsten; 2 sister-in-laws, and many nephews, nieces and their families, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sons, Dick and Jack. By daughter-in-law, Neva Rutledge. 5 brothers, Edward (Ted) (Ella) Filsinger, Raymond (Eunice) Filsinger, Merle Filsinger, Dean (Laura) Filsinger, and Harold (Chuck) Filsinger. 6 Sisters, Ethel (Walt) Westerhoff, Laura (Elmer) Maulding, Violet (Jeff) (Paul) Thompson, Opal (Clarence) Michael, Wilda (Russell)Anderson, and Lois (LaVern) Finley, and by several nieces and nephews.

A memorial has been established to Concordia Lutheran Church, and to Pioneer Manor. Donations may be sent to the family.