Mildred Elm

Elm, Mildred, Henrietta
(Nee Powless)

We celebrate the life of Mildred H. Elm, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She journeyed on to the spirit world on Friday, June 25th, 2010. She lived to be over 104 years old and yet we never thought she would leave us.
As the matriarch of the family, she was further blessed and survived by 19 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and 18 great- great- grandchildren. She was "Auntie Midge" to 17 nieces and nephews and dozens of grandnephews and grandnieces.
Born 6/6/06 on the family farm in Seymour, Wisconsin, she learned how to work at a very young age. In her slower moving world, children learned how to be capable-to cook, clean, sew, and help with the farm. This gave her a quiet inner strength. Her father and uncles belonged to a band, so music was a large part of life, too.
She loved playing solitaire and penny poker with the family. She helped us when we played "light" by adding pennies to our pile. She shared her stories, like going to the Christmas Eve service in a horse drawn sleigh. It was so cold they would put hot bricks in the bottom of the sleigh and put straw on top of the bricks. She said it was cozy even on the ride home. On New Year's morning, they would take donuts to the neighbors singing "hoyan, hoyan". It was a time when traditions were valued. As an accomplished seamstress, she mended, sewed dresses and ribbon shirts and curtains and made rag rugs and quilts and sent money to starving children in the world. Not many 80 year olds make satin prom dresses for their great-granddaughters. She had an insatiable appetite for novels and read at least one a week. She loved historical mystery and romance and she loved Indians.
Her final wish was to be buried in the family plot with her father and mother, Hyson and Sofia Powless. Millie's son, John Elm, an American hero who fought in the Korean War, is also buried there.
Granny's best friend was Irene Lingle (Metoxen), whom she loved dearly and she spent time with Irene and Red in later years visiting in San Diego. How wonderful it was to witness a life-long friendship!
Granny saw all the faces of life, but did not cower to the pressures she encountered along the way. She lost four children, John Elm, Edward Elm, Patricia (Elm) Emerson and Theodore, a baby. She lost all her immediate family and friends and two grandsons. She kept busy to get through the hardships. She trusted and loved her remaining children, Maxine Elm and Richard Elm.
When we look back on this time, we remember and share with you our "granny" with an incredible inner strength, which she taught to all of us through her examples. She was "there for us" and the strength she gave to us, made us make it through and we owe so much to her for this. Her greatest gift of all was her listening. She did not judge or comment. She was the greatest listener and when she listened she told us in a silent way that we were valued.
It is a "titanic" loss for us, who were blessed to have her in our lives. She lifted us up and helped us to feel capable. Now, she has been lifted up on eagle's wings and the unforgettable impact she has made will be shared with the generations to follow.
We love you gran.

Friends may call at Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, Oneida, on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 from 9:30 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM with Rev. Kristina Henning officiating. Inurnment will take place in the parish cemetery.