Mildred Alberta Heins

passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Belmont Terrace in Bremerton, Washington.Mildred was born March 22, 1917, at her farm home in Elmore, Ohio in Ottowa County. She attended a little one room country school house through fourth grade. Beginning with fifth grade she attended the brand new Harris Elmore School. When her mother passed away, Mildred was forced to leave school. Being the oldest of four girls, she became homemaker and mother to three siblings as well as farmhand working the fields alongside her father - all at the ripe old age of 14.On August 28, 1935, Mildred married Lester F. Heins at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hessville, Ohio. The same church where she had been baptized and confirmed. Throughout the depression years Lester never missed a pay check, but life was a struggle. One of her favorite memories was the time they found a nickel and were able to go on a date for ice cream cones. On July 2, 1936, she gave birth to their first child, David Otto Heins. Her second son, Timothy Paul, came along 15 years later.Because she hadn't had the chance to complete high school, Millie expanded her education through Lester's experiences as newspaperman, seminary student, pastor and then back to the newspaper as religion editor. She learned through his experiences as he made a world tour of missions for the Toledo Blade newspaper. Throughout her life, Millie loved to read and on several occasions voiced her regrets that she hadn't gone further in school.In July of 1960 she endured the tragedy every parent dreads. Her eldest son, David, was killed in a traffic accident. In 1962, Lester took a position in Minneapolis and they left Ohio. Despite the painful loss, she was an attentive mother to her younger son and a diligent housekeeper. In Minneapolis she was an active member of a large, Lutheran congregation. For several years she sang in the adult choir and served two terms as president of the Central Lutheran Church Women. She also accompanied Lester as he once again travelled to India and Asia.In 1986 Mildred developed a tumor in her left leg. Radiation treatment for this type of cancer was relatively new and after several treatments at the Mayo Clinic followed by years of follow up, she was cured of her first bout with cancer. Years later she developed breast cancer treated by a mastectomy in 2006.A three-time cancer survivor, Mildred lived through the great depression, cared for a husband suffering from tuberculosis, endured the pain of a son's early death, outlived the three siblings she cared for as a teenager and travelled the world with her husband.Immersed in church work for much of her life, Millie entertained dignitaries and formed worldwide friendships. Moving to Minneapolis in 1962, she was an active member of a large, Lutheran congregation. For several years she sang in the adult choir and served two terms as president of the Central Lutheran Church Women.She lived a long life and despite hardships and tragedy, lived a full life. A classy lady, she always exhibited a cheerful and engaging disposition and attracted many lasting friendships.Mildred is survived by her son, Timothy Heins of Poulsbo, two grandchildren, Dustin and Brenton of Bellingham, a sister, Madelyn Hetrick of Oak Harbor, Ohio and a brother, Jon Haar of Elmore, Ohio. Mildred will be interred at the family gravesite at the Allen Township Cemetery in Williston, Ohio. She will be laid to rest beside Lester and David who have preceded her.A memorial service will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island Saturday, July 25th at 1:00 p.m.