Mildred M. Schwarzkopf

Mildred Marcella Collis was born on April 22, 1925 in Warren Township, St. Croix County, WI, the daughter of John Collis and Henrietta Deans Collis. Mildred lived the first 18 years of her life on the family farm near Baldwin. Mildred learned telegraphy in Superior, WI and became a telegrapher for the railroad during World War II.While serving as telegraph operator in Cologne, MN she met, and in June 1945 married, her husband Merlyn William SchwarzKopf. Together they operated two floral businesses near Bongards/Norwood-Young America and Arlington, MN. They were members of Zion Benton Lutheran Church and had several good neighbors and lifelong friends. Mildred created magnificent vegetable gardens, raised two children, and taught them to love many pets. In 1985 Merlyn and Mildred relocated to Moorhead, MN. Their retirement years were some of the happiest and most active of their lives. Merlyn passed away in 1993. Mildred and JoAnna spent almost every day doing things they enjoyed together; flower gardening, caring for pet cats especially Mildred's "Mutti", finding homes for frequent guest animals, watching fireworks after baseball games, dinners out at the Mexican Village, and family holidays together. Mildred especially enjoyed volunteer work at the Moorhead Thrift Store. She always appreciated good neighbors; Ruth Swanson and Lynn Severson in particular, who were close friends in her later years. Thanks to the kindness of Ilene Neirby, Mildred attended Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Moorhead until failing health made it impossible for her to attend regularly.Though Mildred was deeply saddened by the sudden death of her son Larry in 2005, she enjoyed many holiday visits with him and his family, family picnics at Stony Point, and she took great pleasure in seeing her only grandson growing up. Her good health and active interest allowed her to watch Erik start college and perform in the NDSU Gold Star Marching Band at Bison football games. In her final days Mildred was kindly and lovingly cared for by several wonderful health aids and other medical professionals at her home, at Eventide, and at MeritCare.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, Larry; three brothers, Warren, John, and George; and one sister, Irene Forrest. She is survived by her daughter, JoAnna Steve Martens; daughter-in law, Gretchen Proesch; grandson, Erik SchwarzKopf; two sisters, Florence Reiswig and Shirley Hagle; nephews, nieces and in-laws, all of who were an important part of her life.To the very end, Mildred was that unusual, special combination of pragmatism and faith; a gentle model worth emulating. We all cherish the many happy times we have spent together.