Mildred Synneva Hansen Largey died on March 20, 2014, at Castle Ridge Care Center in Eden Prairie, Minn., with her daughter at her side. She was born on June 3, 1915, in St. James, Minn. Mildred was the eldest child of Severt and Anna Mathilda Westberg Hansen. She grew up in St James, Minn. with her brother, Harold Hansen ’38, and her sister, Eunice Hansen Logan ’41. She attended school in St. James and also worked in her father’s jewelry store.

After graduating from high school in 1932, Mildred went to Mankato Business College for one year. The following year, Mildred and her brother, Harold, both started college at St. Olaf. She graduated from St Olaf in 1937, with a B.A. in history. St. Olaf College was a place of celebration for Mildred in that not only did she and her brother graduate from St. Olaf, but she had three nieces, one nephew, and a daughter who graduated from there.

Following college graduation, Mildred returned to St James, where she worked in the court house for Watonwan County. Her first teaching position came with a position in Tulsa, Okla., at an Indian Boarding School. Following that, she was able to return to the Midwest for teaching positions in Minnesota and Iowa. While Mildred was living and teaching in Lake Center, Iowa, she met George Edward Largey. They were married on June 16, 1944, in St James. Mildred and George started their married life in Dickens, Iowa. Mildred continued to teach in Lake Center, Terrill, Ruthven, and Ayrshire School Districts. She also did bookkeeping for a trucking firm that George worked for.

The year of 1956 was the year of changes for Mildred and George. They moved to a farm on Highway 18, just east of Ruthven, Iowa. On Nov. 24, 1956, their daughter was born, Cynthia “Cindy” Largey Swanson ’79. They lived on that farm until November 1969. That is when they moved into Ruthven. Mildred and George lived in their own home until December of 2002. At that time, they both moved into Ruthven Care Center. Mildred remained at Ruthven Care Center even after George’s death in May of 2003. In November of 2005, Mildred moved to Castle Ridge Care Center, in Eden Prairie, Minn., to be near her daughter, Cynthia Largey Swanson.

In her time living in Ruthven, Mildred was busy in many ways. First, there was her active work at Zion Lutheran Church. She was active in the church not only through her volunteering, but also as an employee. She was the parish secretary as well as church treasurer for many years. She was also an active member with American Legion Post 33 Auxiliary. Mildred enjoyed being busy with her hobbies. They included sewing, embroidery work, needlepoint, and knitting. Her last three years at Castle Ridge, she even did painting. Many people will also remember that she loved to sing. She was active in choir in her first church, First Lutheran Church in St James, during her high school and college years, and at Zion Lutheran Church. She also would sing solos for funerals.

Mildred is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her sister, and her husband. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia, and her son-in-law, Mark, along with her grandpuppy, Synneva. She is also survived by nieces and nephews living in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and California, including Ian Logan ’77 and wife Kari, Robert Logan, Mary Logan Lenihan ’71, and Martha Logan ’71 and husband Josh Hudgens.