Mildred "Millie" Leone Meurer

FORMERLY FROM AMBOY, MN AND LAKOTA, IA

On June 19, 1923 at 4:00 p.m. in St. Paul, MN, one of God’s children was born to Esther (Wegner) and William Hayes. Little Leone Hayes with her sister, Lorraine, upon the death of their mother, Esther, went to an orphanage. But a blessing came September 12, 1929 when Emma and Ernest Roloff adopted the two sisters. Little Leone’s name was changed to Mildred Leone Roloff. Mildred was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amboy, MN. She attended country school in Sterling Township until 8th grade and graduated from high school in Amboy.

On April 19, 1942, Mildred was united in marriage to Eldren A. Jaeger and to this union, 9 children were born. They raised those children on a farm in Amboy.

Upon the death of her husband, Eldren, on September 22, 1963, Millie continued to raise those children on her own until her marriage to James Meurer on August 1, 1965. With this marriage, the family grew to 11 children with Jim’s two children, and the family moved to Jim’s home in Lakota, IA.

Jim and Millie spent winters in Florida then Arizona, visiting the families that lived there. Eventually, they made the decision to live permanently in Arizona, selling their Lakota home.

On February 15, 2002, Millie’s husband, Jim, died.

Our mother, grandma (GG), continued her life loving Jesus, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends, remembering each of our birthdays, special celebrations, and what each of us were doing. She kept track! Mom (GG) loved life! But her greatest gift to us was loving us unconditionally and always telling us to love the Lord Jesus our Savior and keep Him in our hearts.

On Saturday, December 2, many of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren circled her hospital bed and she spoke to each and every one of us, one at a time, telling us that she would see us in Heaven.

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 9:17 a.m., she took the hand of Jesus and walked with him.

Millie died surrounded by her loving family at the Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ.

Millie is survived by her children, Sandra (Jerold) Worden of Chandler, AZ, Myrna (Joe) McNulty of Stone Mountain, GA, Glenda (John) Schwalbach of Anthem, AZ, Sheila (James) Junkermeier of Chandler, AZ, Bruce (Karen) Meurer of Algona, IA, Jan Robin Meurer of Tucson, AZ, Rita Ellsworth of Buffalo Center, IA, Lana (Richard) Leonard of Chandler, AZ, Joel (Cindy) Jaeger of Titonka, IA, Bradley (Lisa) Jaeger of Peoria, AZ, and Barbara (Michael) Douglas of Chattanooga, TN; 32 grandchildren; and 42 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Eldren Jaeger; second husband, James Meurer; son-in-law, Ross Ellsworth; granddaughter, Lily Jaeger; sisters, Lorraine Bauman and Bernice Kimble; and brothers, Ray and Bill Hayes.

Funeral service will be held at 11am, Thursday, December 14, 2017 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 241 South Street E., Amboy, MN 56010, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at the Sterling Cemetery. Please share a memory of Millie with her family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Memorials are preferred to any local hospice organization in your area or to a charity of your choice.