Mildred Anna (Hobbs) Dietzel, 92, passed away June 15, 2018 in Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester, IN. She was born December 18, 1925, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. She was the only child of William 0.
Hobbs and Salome (Lugbill) Hobbs. The family resided in Fort Wayne until Mildred was in fifth grade. She then attended Leo Elementary School and graduated from Leo High School.
Her education included classes at IUPU. Mildred and Harlan Dietzel were married on October 5, 1946 at the Smith Street Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne. They were blessed with two sons, Stanley J. (Sarah) and Dennis L. (Marianne) Dietzel.
A third son, Kevin, died at birth. Mildred is also survived by grandchildren Naomi (Chris) Hershiser, Isaac (Mitra Pemberton) Dietzel, Kevin (Ranae) Dietzel, and Soren Dietzel, as well as great grandchildren Laila, Roxana, Sterling and Scarlett. Granddaughter Nina died in an automobile accident in 1996.
Mildred was a stay-at-home mom until her children were in junior high school. She was an avid gardener and grew many fruits and vegetables that she canned and froze. She began working part-time at the Associated Churches office and at an insurance company.
Then she became Administrative Secretary for the Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne. She held this position for twenty-four years under pastors Olden D. Mitchell and I. James Eshelman. Christian Education was a priority for her, and she served on the Education Commission for about twenty years.
Retirement offered time and opportunity to volunteer at Lutheran Hospital (17 years), the Red Cross and the Lincolnshire Church, visiting sick and shut-in members. Travel allowed Mildred and Harlan to visit California and the Northwest, where they enjoyed hiking, viewing gardens, and stopping to visit nieces and nephews wherever they lived along the way. Mildred and Harlan moved to a neighborhood apartment at Timbercrest in 2009.
Three years later Harlan’s Parkinson’s Disease required a move to Healthcare, and Mildred moved into the Manor. She remained Harlan’s loving companion and loyal advocate until he died on October 17, 2015. Family & friends may call June 28, 2018 from 9:30-10:00 a.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN.
Service will follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Leo Cemetery, Leo, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Mildred Dietzel, memorial contributions may be made to Heifer Project International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203; Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren, 6404 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, IN 46807 or Charity of Choice. Condolences may be sent at mckeemortuary.com Arrangements entrusted to McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, IN.
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