Mildred A. Wilshusen

A long-time resident of Yuma, Colorado passed away peacefully on Aug. 19th, 2015 at the age of 99. Mildred would have been 100 years young this upcoming October.

In the process of reaching such a beautiful milestone in life Mildred experienced more in a lifetime than most ever will. Those who know Mildred were fortunate enough to hear her stories and the memories she carried with her over time.

Mildred was a kind hearted person with a great sense of humor that never had a bad thing to say about anyone. Throughout her life she took pride in being a sister, Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Neighbor, Friend, and much more.

She touched the lives of many people by always being actively involved in her community. She cleaned homes for many families, specifically over three generations. Mrs. Huey, Georgia Seward, and Karen Furrow. As well as two other generations for Iva Sheets and Bette Cannon. This included taking care of their children as well.

She was also known for being a cook at the North School for many years and cleaning numerous establishments throughout Yuma including, The Methodist church with Karen Furrow for aprox. 15 years, her son Ray’s pool hall, The Supreme Court Motel, and the American Legion hall. This also included many people she did wall paper for and ironing.

Mildred loved to keep busy and it was her way of sending her love to everyone she knew. She was a natural caregiver which stemmed from an early time in her life. She often talked about her early years of travelling across country from Kansas to Colorado in a covered wagon with family and from there on Yuma is where she called home.

She completed school all the way up to the 8th grade and then when her mother (Margaret Gelst Kuhn) passed away she quit in order to help her father (Lee Robert Kuhn) Take care of her younger siblings as she was part of a large family being fourth in line out of eight children.

Family was a HUGE part of Mildred’s life. She married twice. Her first husband was Fredrick Oakley Taylor who she had all of her children with. (Leroy, Ray, Lois. And Loretta). After Fredrick’s passing in 1961 Mildred eventually remarried Arthur Wilshusen.

Throughout that time she was part of the American Legion Auxiliary (1966-2015) as an honorary life member after serving 49 years, and was also part of the Yuma Fireman’s Wife Association (1966, 2015)

When she wasn’t cooking and cleaning she loved to travel. Some of her most cherished and memorable trips were when her and husband Art travelled to New York to visit friends and family and then to the World Fair in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Visiting her Granddaughter Tasha in Hawaii, going to Arbarr to the car races, taking several trips with friends to California after her husband’s passed away, taking the grandchildren to Stalker Lake fishing, and taking the grandchildren to Arkansas on vacation and other places to visit relatives were some the highlights of her travels.

She also often travelled to Phoenix, Arizona when her daughter Lois lived there and in that time she went to the Fiesta Bowl Parade and went to see her favorite baseball team the Colorado Rockies play against the Diamondbacks.

When her daughter Loretta lived in Leadville, Colorado with husband Jerry she would spend several weeks in the summer with them and also continued to visit them and the rest of the family once they all moved to Nevada.

In her spare time she did many other things but her most cherished was her home in which she lived in for over 64 years. She would always say “You could see all the way to Eckley” when she first moved in.

Her garden, taking care of her home, and yard were her pride and joy and what kept her going for so many years. Her home is where all the love she gave to so many still carries through to this day and is where so many wonderful memories were made. It is a place where many of our families’ generations have grown up and has always been a really special place for everyone because of her.

She was also a huge fan of the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies. She had many people over to watch the games with her and it didn’t matter if the games went into extra innings or overtime she would stay up till the game was done. Sunday diners were also a tradition in her home that really brought everyone together.

Mildred also had a sense of adventure and was incredibly independent. Even at the age of 98 she did not hesitate to take a ride on a motor cycle for the first time in her life. This is just one of the many examples proving just how incredible Mildred truly was. She really knew how to live life to the fullest and inspired so many people to do the same.

Mildred was a one of a kind lady with a heart of gold. It’s really hard to fully wrap your head around all the things she’s seen and done in the last 100 years and all the changes that have occurred in her time. She was born during World War 1 and has lived through all the wars except for the Civil War and she has seen most of American history and all the inventions throughout the years.

She was loved by so many and her memory will live through all the people whose lives she touched. Yuma won’t be quite the same without her. She may be gone but her presence will always be here and she was blessed to have lived such a long happy life like she had always wished for.

She survived by daughters Loretta Dresen and husband Jerry Dresen, Carlin, NV. Lois Clanton Yuma, CO. Grandchildren Paul Dresen, Carlin, NV, Kristine Dresen and Husband Glenn Lejeune, Sudbury, Ontario, CA,  Tasha Keen and husband David Keen, Yuma, CO, Eric Clanton, Yuma, CO, Chad Clanton, Yuma, CO, Great Grandchildren, Starlotte Dresen, Rayanon Reed, Paige Gray, Eric Clanton, Karla Ranae Baum, Hailey Clanton, Ashley Clanton, Adam Clanton, Skylar Clanton, Jordan Glanz, and Logan Glanz. As well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceded in Death, Mother, Margret Geist Kuhn, Father, Lee Robert Kuhn. Husbands, Oakley Taylor, and Arthur Wilshusen. Sons, Leroy Taylor, and Ray Taylor. Grandchildren, Mark Dresen, and Brian Dresen. Great Grandchildren, Caleb J. Clanton. As well as all seven of her siblings and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.   

The funeral service was held on August 27, 2015 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Yuma, Colorado at 11:00 A.M.  Pastor Dave McQuisten officiated the service and the arrangements were made with Baucke Funeral Home.