Mildred G. Lotter

A free spirit, a sweet soul, and one with a knack for finding the zest in life, Mildred G. Lotter leaves behind an amazing legacy. She was a loving wife, a caring mother, a cherished grandmother, and friend to everyone she met. We are deeply saddened to say our goodbyes to Mildred, as she will be dearly missed.

Just before the decade of the twenties began, the year of 1919 had a lot to accomplish. This was the year in which the beginnings of the prohibition became a reality, and day-light saving time helped make the days even longer! One could now make a phone call without the help of an operator due to the invention of the rotary dial phone. Women were then able to spread the news of Congress passing the 19th Amendment guaranteeing their right to vote. The United States Congress was busy, as it also established the Grand Canyon National Park which marked one of the earliest successes of the environmental conservation movement. This was all news one might have listened to while they waited for their morning toast from the newest kitchen craze known as the pop-up toaster!

Closer to home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Emory and Viola Densel were celebrating the Fourth of July while waiting for the arrival of their precious baby. They did not wait much longer because just days after Independence Day, on July 8th, they welcomed their daughter, Mildred. She was the center of their lives and their only child.
In her youth, she spent her time close to the water on Sylvan Lake and Blue Lake. Her parents worked hard to give her a memorable and happy childhood. Her father was a conductor on the Nickel Plate Railroad. Mildred’s mother owned and maintained properties in Fort Wayne. As Mildred matured, she spent her time as a lifeguard at the St. Joe River near the Memorial Coliseum. When she was not working, she would spend her free time enjoying English style horseback riding.

Mildred experienced a memorable “Sweet 16” birthday. Her father bought her a black Buick convertible. She saw him come around the corner driving it home, and she nearly burst into tears due to her excitement. All she had desired was a car for her birthday, and her parents granted her wish. Mildred was always a daddy’s girl, and when she remarked that the car would be even better if it were red, her father promptly had the car painted scarlet just for her!

As a teenager, she attended Northside High School in Fort Wayne. She reveled in her adventurous spirit during this time period - even if at her mother’s dismay. On a whim, Mildred’s best friend and cousin, Lavonne Flowers-Garr hitchhiked from Blue Lake to Fort Wayne looking to purchase a scandalous pair of jeans (which were regarded as highly improper during this time). They actually made the purchase and upon returning home with their prized apparel, Mildred’s mother was not pleased. Much to their chagrin, the girls were forced to return the jeans to the store! Without her jeans and after graduating from high school, Mildred chose to attend Warner Beauty College.

Mildred found love while she was still in high school with a young man named Carl. While they dated and during World War II, Mildred worked at General Electric. She also managed properties in Fort Wayne and owned her own beauty salon as a young adult. Before too long, the high school sweethearts decided to get married. The happy couple spent their honeymoon in Chicago with two of their best friends, Ray and Lavonne. The love shared between Carl and Mildred was everlasting, and the friendship between the couples was treasured throughout their lives.

The newlyweds settled into life easily enjoying their time together as husband and wife. As time progressed, their family began to grow. They celebrated the births of two daughters, Sue and Judy. The family created many memories, especially their time spent on Lake Wawasee in the summers. When Mildred was not tending to her family, she and Carl spent countless hours working on their gardens. They cultivated their love in the Earth with both delicious vegetable harvests and beautiful flowers. Mildred always loved gladiolas which were Carl’s prize-winning flower, for the ones he planted always flourished. Because their vegetable garden grew plentiful, they would spend many days canning. What they had in excess, friends and family always happily benefitted. Though she loved the vegetables, she equally loved her treats; Mildred had a big sweet tooth and would never turn down a little sugar.

Later in life, Mildred and Carl would spend two months of the year in Florida. Originally they spent their time in Hollywood, Florida, but then began to frequent Naples in 1978. They would spend many hours socializing with their friends and family in Florida and on Lake Wawasee. When Mildred was in Florida, she worked on her golf game, as she was an avid golfer. She won several club championships at the Elks Club and at Quail Run Golf Course in Naples. Her proudest achievement, however, was her hole-in-one earned in Florida! On days when the golf course conditions were less than ideal, Mildred tested her bowling abilities at the Elks Club and spent time as a member of the Eastern Star. Her spiritual side found peace as an active member of Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne while also involving herself in the Elizabeth North Church Circle.

As her daughters grew into adults and started families of their own, Mildred and Carl watched as, one by one, they were blessed with the joy of grandchildren and later great-grandchildren. Mildred adored these young ones, as they truly were the light of her life. She looked forward to their visits more than just about anything else in the world. The children were all drawn to her, and they would soak up all the loving attention she would give each of them. In time, Mildred was forced to endure the loss of her partner in life, her husband, and best friend. He passed away in 2001, but the couple enjoyed six remarkable decades together in this lifetime. The love and support of family and friends provided Mildred with the strength to keep Carl in her heart while continuing to find the goodness in life.

Though Mildred would often end her conversations with the words, “That’s just it!” the words written here will never fully describe her easy going and happy spirit. She was a genuine and sweet soul and would strive to make everyone in her company content. Her quiet presence brought a sense of comfort. After 97 years of enormous life, Mildred took her final breath on Monday, April 3, 2017. Even in her final days at the Auburn Village Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Home in Auburn, she found great peace and happiness surrounded by her friends and family. Mildred lived life with such good grace, and we will hold the memories we shared close to our hearts. She will be greatly missed, but we will never forget her.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and David Houser of Auburn, and Judy and Larry Trusdell of Evanston, IL; grandchildren, Mike (Carrie) Houser of Hopkinton, MA, Nicki (Alex ) Pinnington of Auburn, Katie (Eric) Stahmann of Chicago, and Sarah (Reed) Huling of Colorado Springs, CO; great grandchildren, Jack Houser, Maddie Houser, Gracie Pinnington and Emma Pinnington.

Memorial donations may be made to DeKalb Humane Society.