Page 23 - Flathead Beacon // 12.17.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
DECEMBER 17, 2014 4 Giving Back i 23
W
ithin 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 fam- ily photos and awards for her volunteer- ing service, and bags of yarn sit on chairs.
Wearing a lovely flower headband last week, Mildred was quick to tell visi- tors entertaining stories of her life grow- ing up in Hogeland, in eastern Montana, all while maintaining her crochet stitch.
At almost 97, it’s tough to see the de- tail 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 especial- ly 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 Mil- dred was responsible for running the
“Even her community at Heritage Place, she participates in all of their activities as much as she can. 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.”
Tony Brockman, project coordinator at RSVP
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, Mil- dred kept giving her time, but in differ- ent ways. She makes hats, mittens, boo- ties, and blankets for others, along with helpful pieces, like a doily that also dou-
bles 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 activ-
ities 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 al- ways 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 accommo- date any schedule and skillset, and any- one interested in volunteering can call 758-5712.
[email protected]