Alcester Union & Hudsonite Online

ALCESTER - Hundreds of folks in several communities have benefited from monetary gifts received recently from a little- known, slight lady from the Alcester community. Through her ninety-nine years, Mildred Wilson Ziegler observed certain folks and organizations she wanted to recognize and compensate for noteworthy service to her, her family, and others in the community.

Each of six chosen organizations have received a gift of over $26,000. The beneficial organizations are: The Alcester Community Foundation, in memory of her parents, David & Jessie Wilson; the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association; the Alcester Baptist Church Mission Fund; the Children's Care Foundation of Sioux Falls; the Spring River Christian Village in Joplin, MO, in memory of her husband, Arthur Ziegler, who resided there before his death; and the Morningside Care Center in Alcester.

Mildred was born and raised in a humble, Christian family. Her father, David Wilson, immigrated to the United States from Sweden when he was a young man. He and his wife, Jessie Hamilton, moved to Ida Grove, IA where Mildred was born on February 16, 1909. When she was very young, the family moved to a small farm northeast of Alcester. Her father was a hard working, pioneer farmer who, with his wife, raised a family of seven children on 80 acres of land. Mildred learned from her parents the importance of knowing how to work, having goals to pursue, how to conserve money, and the importance of asking the Lord for care and guidance.

Mildred attended Miller country school and graduated from Alcester High School. This in itself was something that many youth did not have the opportunity to achieve during this point in time.

Upon graduation, Mildred attended Madison Teacher’s College and received her teaching certificate. She taught in several rural Union County schools. Mildred did not stop here. Remember, these are the years of deep depression with hard times and very little money. But Mildred had the desire to be a nurse and she entered Mounds Midway School of Nursing in St. Paul, MN, graduating in 1940.

World War II was now in progress. Mildred worked at a Veteran’s Hospital before joining the Red Cross and then the Army Nurse Corps. She was stationed in California. After the war was over she returned to the Veteran’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, and transferred to the Royal C. Johnson Veteran’s Hospital in Sioux Falls when it opened in 1949. She worked at this hospital until she retired in 1970.

For the first forty years of her life, Mildred was busy getting her education and establishing her career. But while working in Sioux Falls, she met her future husband, who made her life complete. She married Arthur Ziegler in 1950. After her retirement, she and Art enjoyed life together, traveling and spending winters in Weslaco, TX.

Mildred enjoyed pretty things – porcelain and bone china, angels, carved furniture. She loved to shop, but not at the expensive, elite shops. Instead, a perfect day for Mildred was to find a rummage sale or a flea market. She knew the value of things and to find an exquisite piece of crystal or an elegant lamp for a few dollars at a sale made her day.

She thoroughly enjoyed antique auctions and attended them whenever she could. Her closets and bureau drawers held many new clothing items she had purchased because they “were such a good price”.

Mildred was diligent in her daily tasks, whatever they might be. She kept financial records to perfection, knowing exactly where and how she wanted things handled. She was decidedly independent and did not want anyone to feel obligated to help care for her. Renewing her driver's license when she was ninety-eight years old was not a problem. She had excellent health, took good care of herself and had very few wrinkles.

The thing that frustrated her the most in the later years was the fact she had pain, especially in her back. She could not understand why the doctors couldn't do something to heal it up. Having physical ailments was something she was not accustomed to.

Mildred and Art had no children of their own, but family held a number one priority spot in her heart. She never ceased to be concerned for her brothers and sisters and their families. She always was interested in the activities her nieces and nephews were involved in.

Only a few of the recipients of Mildred's generous contributions know her personally. She worked diligently for many years and invested her income wisely.

Mildred Wilson Ziegler's donations upon her death will benefit hundreds of folks in several communities for numerous years in the future. Blessed be her memory.

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