Mildred “Millie” Altha (Ashman) Troxel
Millie passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at her home with her family by her side. Millie was born on December 4, 1937 in Burwell, Nebraska to Archie Ashman and Gladyce Nightingale Ashman. Millie is the eldest of seven children. Millie spent her younger years living with her parents and grandparents, Roy and Emma Nightingale on a farm near Burwell. For the first five years of her life, she enjoyed riding horses and playing with her aunt, Genie Nightingale, who was just eleven months her elder. The two graduated from Burwell High School together in 1955.
After moving into town with her parents, she gained six siblings. Millie was an amazing older sister, spending a good amount of her time helping to raise her brothers and sisters. She was even known to bring her youngest sister Roxanna along on a date now and then. Millie enjoyed barrel racing in her teenage years. Through her family she learned a strong love of God, music, dancing, and playing card games. Following high school, she taught country school near Burwell for two years, which she greatly enjoyed.
Shortly after being set up on a blind date with Lawrence Troxel, the two became engaged. They were wed on March 22, 1959 at her family’s home in Burwell. Together they worked on ranches in and around the area. During this time Millie picked up her love for sewing and playing bridge, which stayed with her for the remainder of her life. To this union five children were born. Millie and Lawrence began to raise their family in the north central area of Nebraska. In 1974, the family relocated to Bennet, Nebraska. Millie then worked for her brother Carl, who owned the 5th Quarter Bar in Palmyra, for the next 17 years. In doing so, she formed a number of lifelong friendships.
In 1990, Millie and Lawrence bought their first and forever home in Pawnee City, Nebraska. The following year they moved in. Here they enjoyed their retirement years. Millie regularly attended services and bible study at the Christian Church in town, until it was later merged with the Presbyterian church. She was involved in several local organizations, including Coterie Club, 20th Century Club, and Christian Women’s Fellowship. She also played cards with a variety of groups and friends. Millie was a regular blood donor, recently having attained her 14-gallon pin from the American Red Cross.
Millie was widely known for her big hugs, sunny disposition, sewing skills, and love of dance. Many have said that if there were more people like her, the world would be a better place. Millie’s greatest loves in life were God and her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, youngest son Sam, daughter-in-law Pam, grandsons, Jonathon and Plynn, granddaughter Cassidy, her parents, brother Dick and his wife Sandie, brother Mick, brothers-in-law Arlin Lahrs, Richard Troxel and Steve Land, special friend Donna Gerstenschlager.
