Mildred Maxine Tenglin
Born: July 1st, 1915
Died: March 8th, 2013
Obituary
Mildred Maxine Tenglin, 97, of Burlington, died 2:35 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2013 at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington.
Mildred was born on a farm near Oakville, Iowa on July 1, 1915. Her parents were Theodore and Hazel (Lister) Johnson. Mildred was the oldest of 11 children. She still has two living sisters: Madelyn Johnson lives on a farm near Middletown, Iowa and Eileen Pfieff lives in Tucson, Arizona. Her surviving brother, Larry Johnson, also lives in Burlington.
Mildred was invited to live with relatives in Mediapolis so she could attend high school. Mildred enjoyed being an "only child" to her hosts, Violet and John Stevenson. She learned many lessons of life both in their home and in high school. Graduation was a sad day in 1933. The Great Depression was in full swing and no jobs were available. Mildred worked for the next few years for $1 to $3 per week. In 1934, she got a job at the Hotel Burlington dining room.
Mildred married Gunnar Tenglin on August 19, 1936 in Kahoka, Missouri. They were married happily for over 60 years. Together they raised two children, Diane and Gene.
Mildred worked for 30 years in the food service department for the Burlington school system. For over 24 years, she managed the Horace Mann lunch room.
Through the years, Mildred loved to sew. She made hundreds of gifts for friends and family: stuffed toys, embroidered pillowcases, wall hangings, towels, and clothing. Mildred also made candles and loved to cook, winning numerous blue ribbons at the county fair for her cookies, pies and pickled beets.
Recently, Mildred took up writing as a hobby. She was in a writer's group at the Burlington Public Library and was in the process of compiling short stories of her life experiences to leave in a book for a legacy for heirs. Mildred told a wonderful story about her father-in-law, who was a survivor on the Titanic. His life and his survival stories had a huge impact on her life.
Mildred served as the president of the Des Moines County Food Association for four years and then served as secretary. Mildred knew what it meant to be poor and learned to be frugal. Mildred was quick to urge you to be romantic with your spouse and she frequently said, "You can never say 'I love you' too often!"
Mildred is survived by her son; Gene Tenglin of Dearborn, Michigan; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters; brother; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Diane West, two sisters, Helen and Lorraine and five brothers, Roy, Ray, Harpo, Duke and Teddy.
The funeral service for Mrs. Tenglin will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 11th in Lunning Chapel. Pastor Rob Carleton will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10th in Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.
A memorial has been established for a scholarship to Mediapolis High School.