Within minutes of meeting Mildred Nielsen, it’s easy to see that this is a woman who is rarely still. Her room at Heritage Place is decorated with family photos and awards for her volunteering service, and bags of yarn sit on chairs.
Wearing a lovely flower headband last week, Mildred was quick to tell visitors entertaining stories of her life growing up in Hogeland, in eastern Montana, all while maintaining her crochet stitch.
At almost 97, it’s tough to see the detail in the crochet loops, but she can go by feel; she’s been crocheting for nearly 50 years. Last week, she was putting the finishing touches on a baby blanket, and Heritage Place was raffling a blanket she made for the holidays.
“It keeps your hands busy,” Mildred said of her crochet work.
Staying busy is an important part of Mildred’s life, and she likes to spend her time helping others. She’s been especially committed to the Flathead County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), with which in the past 23-and-a-half years she’s volunteered more than 18,550 hours.
Mildred and her husband Ehlers Nielsen moved to the Flathead in 1951, and they raised five children. Ehlers worked in the timber industry, and Mildred was responsible for running the family’s 40-acre farm.
The family loved living in the valley, she said, and that love continued when she began volunteering decades ago.
With RSVP, Mildred started in the kitchen, serving meals with the county’s Agency on Aging program. It was a way to socialize with her community, and it helped keep her schedule full.
“I served a lot of meals and poured a lot of coffee,” she said, laughing.
All the while, she kept crocheting. When mobility issues came about, Mildred kept giving her time, but in different ways. She makes hats, mittens, booties, and blankets for others, along with helpful pieces, like a doily that also doubles as a gripper.
“People bring yarn to me,” she said, surveying the bags in her room.
(In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that Mildred would not let a reporter leave her room without some crocheted pieces.)
Tony Brockman, project coordinator at RSVP, said Mildred is a great example of people doing what they can with what they have to help others. Even now, with mobility issues, Mildred still helps set up the Bingo cards at Heritage Place, and is usually chatting with someone throughout the day.
“Even her community at Heritage Place, she participates in all of their activities as much as she can,” Brockman said. “She’s always at her door visiting with people who pass by. She’s a hoot. She’s always got something new to tell you.”
As of last week, Mildred had plenty on her schedule, including getting out her Christmas cards. She encouraged anyone who has spare time to volunteer it for the betterment of the community.
“I recommend that a lot of people volunteer,” she said. “Oh, they should, instead of just sitting around.”
Brockman said RSVP can accommodate any schedule and skillset, and anyone interested in volunteering can call 758-5712.