Mildred Myhre
Mildred Aileen (Powell) Myhre, long-time resident of Spring Grove, MN, was the first-born child of Ethel (Enyart) and Louis Powell. She entered this world on the blustery day of March 25, 1929, and departed on the blustery day of March 16, 2026.
Funeral and burial services were at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church March 21. Memorials can be directed to the Waterloo Ridge Church Cemetery Perpetual Fund or to the family c/o Laurie Knoke; 2 Cari Court, DeKalb, IL 60115.
Mildred graduated as the valedictorian of Waukon High School in 1947. She taught at a country school where her younger brothers Roger and Lyle were among her students. Her brother Robert was not of school age yet.
Friends introduced Mildred to Owen Myhre, and the two fell in love quickly, marrying in 1949. Owen and Mildred stayed sweethearts forever. Their love and devotion were apparent. They cherished their very special friends, Dale and Shirley Droivold, Sander and Shirley Swenson, and Hartvig and Ardelis Auna.
They loved their children, Bonnie, Russell, and Laurie, who they raised on a farm in northeast Iowa. Mildred was a star teacher with her children, teaching them to read and write, sing, and memorize well before they started school.
She loved to cook and bake. She was an excellent seamstress, even sewing the flag that now hangs in Mildred’s house.
Mildred was a devoted member of Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church where she was Treasurer of the Cemetery Association for over 30 years, was Sunday School Superintendent for 12 years, and served as Ladies’ Aid President more than once. She delighted in helping children prepare an annual Christmas pageant.
As her own children got older, Mildred began working with her husband at Four Square Coop - Cenex - Land O’Lakes. She learned to use a computer long before most people did. She highly valued education and remained a lifetime learner.
Mildred was a warm, loving, caring mother who found ways to support and encourage her children. She drove them to their many activities and never missed one of their performances. She also attended important events in the lives of her grandchildren.
Mildred is survived by two daughters, Bonnie (Bruce) Williams and Laurie Knoke; her grandchildren, Kimberly (Gabriel) Barrios, Kelsea (Andy) Hoskins, Jessica (Mike) Crain, and Jason Myhre; her brother, Robert Powell; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Her beloved husband Owen; her son Russell; and her grandson Lucas predeceased her, as did her parents, Ethel and Louis Powell; her brothers Roger and Lyle Powell; her husband’s parents, Rudolph and Petra Myhre; her husband’s siblings, Audrey Klankowski and Alf Myhre; and a son-in-law, Tom Knoke.
