Mildred Joens, Age 95

Died August 12, 2006
VISITATION Tuesday, August 15, 2006 after 4:00 PM Ohde Funeral Home, Manning
FUNERAL SERVICE Wednesday, August 16, 2006 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church, Manning
INTERMENT Manning Cemetery, Manning


Mildred Edith, daughter of Elmer and Emma (Hass) Compton, was born August 23, 1910, in Babcock, Wisconsin. She was raised in Manning, Iowa, by her mother and stepfather Emma and George Wentzel. Millie was confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and attended Manning High School, graduating in 1928. She taught in a country school for one year, and then worked in Dr. Virgil R. Anderson's dental office until 1933.

Millie was united in marriage with Ben D. Joens on August 23, 1933, at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. The couple made their home in Manilla and in 1937 they moved to Cherokee. They returned to Manning in 1943 when Ben went into business with P.H. Jones. For many years Millie and her husband owned and operated the Ben D. Joens Insurance Agency in Manning until Ben's death in 1973. Millie was very active in the community. She was a Girl Scout leader for several years, as well as a Cub Scout den mother. Millie belonged to several women's groups including the Garden Club, Progressive Club and Wa-Tan-Ye. She was a member of the altar society and helped with many church activities. She was involved with the Foreign Student Exchange Program in Manning.

Millie had many hobbies, such as flower arranging, knitting and gardening. Most of all she enjoyed fishing in Northern Minnesota and Canada with her husband. After Ben died she discovered she also liked to travel. Millie went to Germany, Austria and Switzerland with her daughter's family in 1980. She also discovered camping in her later years and accompanied her family numerous camping trips throughout the Midwest and Canada. She flew alone to visit her son and his family several places. Millie was the consummate Grandma, baking cookies and providing concern and support for her four grandchildren.

Following a broken hip, Millie became a resident at the Manning Plaza in Manning. After three years there, she died on August 12, 2006, at the age of 95 years, 11 months, and 20 days. Millie is preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Myrtle Ingraham. Those she left behind to keep her memory alive are her two children, Donna Rae Clothier and husband Mel of Harlan, and Roger L. Joens and wife Annette of Harvest, Alabama. She will be sorely missed by her grandchildren: Jeff Clothier and wife Jill, Jennifer Lassner and husband Jason, Russell Joens and wife Casie, and Kim Joens; and great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Matthew Joens and Julia, Brody, and Tyler Lassner.