Mildred M Calkins

A memorial graveside service for Mildred M. Calkins will be held at the Alma Cemetery, Alma, Nebraska at a later date.

Mildred Maxine Calkins, 98 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society – Colonial Villa in Alma. Mildred was born in Alma, on January 3, 1927, the second of two children born to Carl and Blanche (Rider) Haeker. Mildred's mother died in childbirth. Her father later married Frieda Haeker, who raised Mildred and her sister Eileen along with Marvel, their younger sister. She received her primary education from the District #66 country school outside of Alma and later attended and graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1944.

Following her education, Mildred lived in New Jersey with aspirations of a singing career until she made the decision to return to Alma and become involved in Haeker Furriers.

On October 2, 1949, Mildred was united in marriage to Donald Calkins at Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, and to this union, two children were born: Raetha and Richard. The couple made their home in Alma, where Mildred worked with her father, Carl Haeker, at Haeker Furriers. After Carl's death, Mildred owned and operated Haeker Furriers until 2004 when she retired at the age of 77.

Mildred and Don enjoyed traveling and visited numerous destinations in the United States and throughout the world. Mildred enjoyed making quilts and had many of them receive awards at the Nebraska State Fair. She also painted and later wrote one book and co-authored another book. She also chaired the publishing and was a contributor to Alma: Towards the Year 2000, a book chronicling the history of Alma. Mildred was active in the community and was involved with the ESA sorority, Alma Chamber of Commerce, P.E.O., and a charter member of Harlan County Tourism and the Harlan County Community Foundation. She was also involved in establishing the walking trail in 2003. Mildred always felt that God had blessed her with a long life and a long and happy marriage.

Mildred was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church of Alma.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; Carl R. Haeker, Blanche Haeker, and Frieda Haeker; her husband Donald; and her sisters: Eileen Streff; and Marvel McCraken.

Mildred is survived by her children: Raetha (Calkins) Nelsen and her husband, John of Alma; Rick Calkins and his wife, Dianne of Alma; five grandchildren: Patrick Calkins and his wife, Jennifer of Alma; Sophie (Smith) Meyer and her husband, Cole of Omaha; Evie Smith and her fiancé, Kevin Landau of Littleton, Colorado; Shauna Fleming and husband, Chuck of Lincoln; and Ryan McGinty and his wife, Raquel of Honolulu, Hawaii; four step-grandchildren: Joanna (Nelsen) Clark and her husband, Justin of Alma; Jake Nelsen of Kearney; Sammy (Nelsen) Babcock and her husband, Travis of Fort Collins, Colorado; and JC Nelsen of Alma; along with twelve great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

There will not be a visitation or memorial book signing, the family is honoring Mildred's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Mildred's honor and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be directed to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.