Mildred Irene Shields

Funeral Service for Mildred Irene Shields, 91, of rural Aurora, will be 2pm Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at United Methodist Church in Aurora with Pastor Barbara Hegfors officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date in the Geneva Cemetery in Geneva, Nebraska. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora, MN. Mildred died suddenly Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Northern Pines Medical Center in Aurora, MN. Mildred was born March 25, 1921 in Omaha, Nebraska to Carl and Irene (Nelson) Brainard. She grew up in Omaha and was a graduate of Benson High School. Mildred continued her education at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, where she met Neil Shields. She was a 1943 summa cum laude graduate with Majors in English and French. Following graduation she worked for one year at the State Capitol in Lincoln before returning to Omaha to work for General Outdoor Advertizing Co. . Upon Neil Shields discharge from the service they were married November 4, 1945 at the Dundee Presbyterian Chapel in Omaha, Nebraska. Mildred and Neil started their life together in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Neil finished his education at the University of Nebraska and the first two children Yvonne and Kirk were born. In 1950 Neil was recalled in the Reserves and the move was made to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. They spent their time exploring the surrounding area and in their "first station wagon" they made two trips across the border into Mexico. Upon Neil's completion of service it was onto East Ely, Nevada for six years and the birth of Mark and Robin. Mildred loved the mountains but with the closing of Kennecott Copper Co. the last move was made in 1957 to the lake country of northern Minnesota. The fifth child Dianne was born the next year. The active social life of Women's Civic Club, A.A.U.W., Knife and Fork Dinner Club and Masonic Lodge faded as five active children were involved in Scouting, Speech Meets, Science Fairs, sports and school activities. After living in the "company" town of Hoyt Lakes, Mildred's dream of living in the country was realized when they bought 40 acres south of Aurora and built their home. Here she was at long last able to have horses, dogs and cats, along with room to garden. The next 47 years brought many changes; colleges, marriages, grandchildren. She lived a long happy life in her country home. Survivors include her children: Yvonne (Cory) Landgren of Rochester, Kirk Shields of Aurora, Robin (Wes) Millis of Makinen and Dianne (Kevin Johnson) Shields of Aurora; grandchildren: Owen and Claire Landgren, Justin (Leah) Shields, Ryan Millis, Jonna Shields, Freann Wyrick, Sarah Letterman and Eric Shields; nine great grandchildren: Kacey, Lilly, Haily, Aryanna, Mark, Kyra, Harley, Nathan and Alexis; step-grandchildren: Shelly (Tom) Kuelbs, James Millis, Angie (Leif) Johnson, Kristin Johnson and Stephanie Johnson; nephew: Ed (Phyllis) Griffiths. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Neil; son, Mark; daughter-in-law, Kathy; sister, Frances.