WELSHHONS, Mildred L. (1928-2021)

WELSHHONS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 23:54:34

Mildred Louise Welshhons
(December 28, 1928 - January 20, 2021)

Mildred Welshhons, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 20 at Westview Care Center. Private graveside services will be held at the Sandyville Cemetery, Sandyville, IA on January 27.
Mildred was born December 28, 1928, to Henry and Cora Chambers in Sandyville, Iowa. She attended Sandyville School until 8th grade and then Beech High School.
In 1945, Mildred married Vance Welshhons, handsome classmate and the love of her life. After he returned home from WW2 duty in Germany, they set out to achieve their dreams of farming in the rural countryside near Runnells and Pleasantville. By her 24th birthday, she was mother to five children -- twins Steven and Stanley, Linda, Louise, and baby Randy.
Despite their hardscrabble early years, Mildred left her family with many valuable photographs reflecting her youthful beauty and happiness while posing with friends, relatives and all those kids playing with their mother and making wonderful memories while Vance toiled day and night trying to farm and work at various jobs. The kids helped their mother tend the garden, raise the chickens, bake cookies, and clung to her skirt as she was plucking a chicken or washing, ironing, canning, cleaning and all her other chores. Mildred was determined that her children would grow up in a loving household and be good citizens and hard workers.
In 1952, Vance reluctantly gave up their dream of farming. They sold the tractor, the last four cows, and 50 chickens; and moved the family to Pleasantville and, two years later, to Indianola. Vance spent the next 33 years working for Firestone Tire & Rubber in Des Moines.
Once the kids were all in school, Mildred starting working as a waitress at Shannon Café on the square for several years -- walking the six blocks to and from work every day. If one of the kids was home sick from school, she would walk home and back again mid-shift to check on that youngster and bring a hamburger and fries. She had no hobbies. Providing for and caring for her family was all-consuming.
Mildred felt lucky when she landed a job working the next several years for Dr. Phil West in Indianola. Life became so much easier – even when she and Vance were challenged with five teenagers under one roof.
In 1969, Mildred went to work for Bankers Life in Des Moines (now Principal Financial Group) and retired in 1987 after 18 years of service. She often said those were the best years of her life as she had money to spend on herself and the kids. There were beautiful clothes, restaurant dining, vacations, picnics, fishing trips, and many family get-togethers and now grandchildren to spoil. All the while, she was never without a camera and left her family with thousands of photos which have continuously brought back cherished memories of the good times.
While enjoying the life of leisure in their 70’s, Mildred and Vance eagerly welcomed their two young great-granddaughters, Brittany and Dakota, into their home. Instead of feeling burdened, they relished the opportunity for a second go-around of child rearing. Both girls were raised to adulthood wanting for nothing. At one time, Dakota owned 20 pair of shoes – and she was only 6 years old! Of course, there were the “terrible twos” and the even more “terrible teens.” Now that they are mothers themselves, they appreciate more every year what Mildred and Vance sacrificed for them. But most importantly, those girls brought pure joy and energy to an empty nest – providing loving companionship for their Grandma Millie and Grandpa Vance.
As Vance’s health declined, Mildred became his devoted caregiver and protector in his final months of life. After 67 years of marriage, his death at age 88 in 2012 left a huge void in her heart which was never again filled with hope or happiness. Her children are comforted by the vision of their mom now in heaven with their dad – once again a young couple – laughing and holding each other and perhaps dreaming of farming and raising some chickens.
Mildred is survived by her five children: Steven (Beverly) Welshhons, Stanley (Phyllis) Welshhons, Linda Hickman, Louise (Steve) Johnson, and Randy Welshhons.
Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Mike (Nyla) Welshhons, Katie (Bryan DeJoode) Welshhons, Nicole (Matt) Guarnere, Brenda Hickman, Brian Hickman, Celeste (Alex Abbas) Welshhons, and Derek Welshhons.
Also surviving are three great-grandchildren: Brittany (Albert Garcia) Hickman, Dakota (Casey Catron) Hickman, and Nicholas Wessel.
Also surviving are five great-great-grandchildren: Brittany’s children Romeo, Albert, and Dolly; and Dakota’s children Oakland and Raiden.
Mildred’s only sibling, younger brother Arlen (Joann) Chambers of Des Moines, also survives.
The family wishes to thank the professional staff at Westview Care Center for their wonderful care of Mildred the past four years.
They would also like to thank Overton Funeral Home for being there through this sad and complicated time. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/