Mildred Kienitz

Mildred Kienitz, age 88, of Willmar, died Thursday, October 1, at Bethesda Heritage Center Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral service will be held at 1 P.M., Wednesday, October 7, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar. The interment will be in the Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11 A.M. until time of service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.

Mildred Christina Kienitz was born on May 7, 1927 on the family farm in Havelock Township, Chippewa County, Minnesota, near Gluek, the daughter of Bena (Smid) and Chris Boike. She grew up in that area and received her education in the District 71 school. Mildred was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. She work as a housekeeper for a family in Montevideo for a time and also worked for a short time as a waitress. On June 26, 1949, she was married to Harlan John Kienitz in Clara City and they made their home on a farm near Raymond. They farmed until Harlan's retirement in 1990 and in 1991 they moved to Willmar and lived for several years until they moved into Independence Place where she resided until moving to Bethesda Heritage Center in 2013. While they were in Raymond, they were members of Trinity Lutheran Church and then members at Redeemer Lutheran in Willmar after Trinity Lutheran Church closed. Mildred was an active member of the Ladies Aid in both churches. She worked for several years at Jennie-O and for a short time as a cook at the Christian Nursing Home until her health forced her to retire. Mildred enjoyed traveling to Harlington, Texas, where they lived in the winter for many years, she was an avid Twins fan and enjoyed quilting, sewing, gardening, canning and attending garage sales. She especially loved her time with family and friends.

She is survived by two sons; Larry (and Bonnie) Kienitz of North St. Paul and Robert (and Julie) Kienitz of Stafford, Virginia and two daughters; Marilyn (and Tom Wilson) Kienitz of Louisville, Kentucky and Cheryl (and Rob) Birkland of Willmar. Also surviving are four grandchildren; Kyle Birkland (and fiancée Marissa Weatherhaed), Logan Birkland, Andrea (and Mark) Hansen and Brian Kienitz two great grandchildren; Emily Hansen and Charlie Hansen, two brothers; Clarence (and Marilyn) Boike of Clara City and Gordon Boike of Modesto, California and one sister, Bergetta Blom of Oakdale, California.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, husband (Harlan in 2014), one daughter at birth, and two brothers; Louis and William Boike.

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