Beulah Mildred Eisenhauer, 103-plus years, of Coupeville died in the early morning hours on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at Homestead Adult Care, where she had been staying.
Teacher, gardener, craftsperson and one who insisted she wasn’t a “Polyanna,” but always chose a smile over a frown, Mildred was an inspiration to others.
She was born on Feb. 21, 1911, in Alexandria, Neb. She was the eldest daughter of Carl and Mamie Averill.
After earning early credits in high school, something unusual for that time, Mildred married Philip George Eisenhauer on May 25, 1928.
They rented a farm adjacent to Philip’s childhood farm home in Jefferson County and farmed there before and after moving to the nearby town of Gladstone, where Phil also sold seed for crops and was an insurance agent for Bankers Life, now Principal Life Insurance.
They raised six children to become responsible citizens.
Mildred worked several jobs outside the home, including as a retail clerk, in floral shops and in newspaper work. She accomplished all this while raising six children and attending colleges in Fairbury and Crete, Neb.
Mildred earned a teaching certificate, graduating from Doane College, and she taught in several rural schools in Nebraska before moving to Granite Falls, Wash. where she taught in the elementary school while Phil drove school buses.
She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Washington University and continued teaching in Granite Falls School District until her retirement.
She served as president of the Granite Falls Educational Association, served on the Granite Falls School Board and was a director on the Board of Educational Service District 189 for 10 years.
Mildred and Phil were long-time members of Zion United Church of Christ in Gladstone, Neb. Mildred was active as a Girls’ Guild leader, a member of the Women’s Guild, a Sunday school teacher and a church camp counselor. She was chosen as Nebraska State President of the UCC Church women’s organization and has continually served in leadership roles in church groups both locally and regionally, including as a moderator of Arlington United Church for several terms.
After moving to Rolling Hills near Oak Harbor in 1991, Mildred became an active member of the Coupeville United Methodist Church, involving herself in the United Methodist Women in various capacities. After retiring, Mildred spent time traveling in various parts of the world and visiting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mildred has lived a life of volunteer service: She was a 4-H leader, a charter member of the Friendly Thursday Club in Jefferson County, Neb., and organized Girls’ Guild and a middle school girls’ club. She worked with troubled children, both in the classroom and in sheltering runaway girls — wards of the court. She was a member of Snohomish County Citizens’ Review Board to help the courts’ decisions concerning dysfunctional families, and she sponsored a Polish refugee family in her home until they learned English and obtained employment.
In Island County, Mildred volunteered at the Fort Casey Lighthouse and Oak Harbor Senior Center in the gift shop, and more than once was a judge for History Day entrants.
Her memberships included Fairbury Nebraska Business and Professional Women, charter member of the Friendly Thursday Club in Jefferson County, Neb., County Extension Club and Church Women United. After moving to Washington in 1961, she also was a member of NEA, WEA, the Granite Falls Alumni Association, Friends of the Library in Granite Falls and in Coupeville, Lady Lions in Granite Falls, United Methodist Women, UMC Covenant Group, Coupeville Garden Club, Historical Societies in both Snohomish and Island counties and WSU Beachwatchers.
Honors received during her life included the PTA Golden Acorn Award, Granite Falls Alumni Award as outstanding educator, Granite Falls Grange Citizen of the Year, Educational Service District Award for Service and nomination by the Granite Falls faculty for teacher of the year. Mildred gained the admiration and gratitude of her peers, family and friends for her tireless service to others throughout her life.
Survivors include four of her children and their spouses, the Rev. Dr. Philip L. and Patricia Eisenhauer of Gig Harbor, Wash.; Dr. Richard D. and Ardith Eisenhauer of Marysville, Wash.; Judith and Mauro Losz, of Middletown, Ohio; and Joann and John Roomes of Coupeville, with whom she lived for nine of the final years of her life.
Mildred is also survived by one brother, Kenneth Averill of Caldwell, Idaho; son-in-law Lawrence Kientz of Junction City, Kan.; 20 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sundry nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.
Mildred was preceded in death by Philip, her husband of 50 years (1978); parents Carl and Mamie Averill; an infant daughter, Karen Lou (1938); her eldest daughter, Janice Kientz of Junction City, Kan. (2012); son David Eisenhauer of Graford, Texas (2012); four sisters; five brothers; and a grandson, Gregory Eisenhauer.
A memorial service was held 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Coupeville United Methodist Church. Services and burial followed at Zion United Church of Christ in Gladstone, Neb., where she was buried next to her husband.
Mildred suggested memorial contributions may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ, Gladstone, Neb.; the First United Methodist Church, Coupeville; and Oak Harbor Senior Center. Please visit Mildred’s page in the Book of Memories hosted at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.
