Mildred Emma Luedders, 95, died August 16, 2018 in Pawnee City.

She was born September 3, 1923 to Robert and Rosina (Marquadsen) Beethe in rural Elk Creek. She was baptized on September 30, 1923 and confirmed on March 21, 1937, both at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in rural Elk Creek. She married Lavern Luedders on October 13, 1946 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in rural Elk Creek. To this union, six children were born: Marvin, Linda, David, Mary, Donald and Charles.

Mildred was a charter member of Zion Lutheran Church in Pawnee City, where she was active in LWML and Lamplighters and taught Sunday school and catechism classes. Education was always important to her, and she had an extensive home library. She attended Beethe School-District 30 and St. Peter’s parochial school in her early years, then went on to earn her GED on March 30, 1990. 

She was a homemaker for more than 60 years, enjoyed gardening, and took much pride in her gladiolus flowers and was always willing to share produce from her garden with family and friends. She was a skilled and avid seamstress and made many garments for her family, as well as world relief quilts. She also made her own soap and often demonstrated the process at the Pawnee Panorama. For many years she raised chickens and would deliver eggs to Pawnee City every Friday. She was happiest when she was with her family, especially her grandchildren. You never left her house empty-handed, as she would always share her canned produce and baked goods.

Survivors include children, Marvin (Julie) Luedders, David (Carol) Luedders, Mary Luedders, Donald (Jayme Reed) Luedders, Charles (Anne) Luedders, Marvin’s children, Beth (Russell) Vanek, Jonathan (Crystal) Luedders, David’s children, Shawn (Tina) Luedders, Keith (Amanda) Luedders, Amy (David) McCreight, Timothy Luedders, Mary’s children, Jeff (Amy) Timm, Rachel (fiance Robert King) Dike, Greg (Jen) Garbini, Jennifer (Troy) Pracht, Donald’s children, Tina (Shannon) Foster, Angela (Kevin) Hiskett, Jacob Luedders, great-grandchildren, Easton Vanek, Megann and Sophia Timm, Josephine Lehman, Mykael Timm, Fletcher Tomlinson, Henry and Josephine Pracht, Brett and Brooke Luedders, Peyton, Toby, and Thad Luedders, Malia and Anderson McCreight, Maya (Robert) Genter, Callie Foster, Kim and Karrie Hiskett, Cort and Kian Schultze, great-great grandchildren, Alexus Timm and Judah Genter, sister and spouse, Gladys (Melvin) Doerr, brother, Lloyd Beethe, sister-in-law, Wilma Moon, and brother-in-law, Fred Maddox. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lavern, daughter, Linda Luedders, grandson, Michael Luedders, brothers, Lawrence (Alice), Owen (Nelva), Marvin, Glenn (Ellen), sisters, Norma (Arnold) Kettelhake, Lois (Rudy) Clement, and sister-in-law, Marian Beethe.

Services 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 20, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church in Pawnee City, Nebraska. Officiating Reverend Tim Llewellyn. Visitation on Sunday, August 19, 2018 from Noon-8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Interment at St. Peters Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska.

Services entrusted with Wherry Mortuary, Pawnee City, Nebraska