Mildred ‘Millie’ Kolbet, 86

Jan. 3, 1931 —

March 19, 2017

 

Elma -  Mildred “Millie” Kolbet, age 86, of Elma, Iowa passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held March 23, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elma, with Fr. Mark Murphy celebrating. Burial was at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista, Iowa.

Online condolences for Millie’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Mildred “Millie” Malene Vachta was born on Jan. 3, 1931 to George and Agnes (Schneberger) Vachta in Protivin, Iowa.  She attended school in Protivin. 

After she completed her education, she was united in marriage to Leo Kolbet at Holy Trinity Church in Protivin on Feb. 16, 1949. Millie and Leo farmed for 50 years in the Elma and Alta Vista area. They retired to Elma. 

Millie spent more than 20-plus years working with the residents at Comprehensive Systems in Elma, retiring in 2008. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She will be remembered as a caregiver and master pie baker. Millie was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Elma, Rosary Society and V.F.W. Auxiliary. 

Millie is survived by her five children, Pat (Roger) Palmersheim of New Hartford, Iowa, Sandy (Al) Tunis of Kansas City, Mo., Deb (Dan) Sturm of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Garry (Donna) Kolbet of Waverly, Iowa and Jon (Sean Dwyer) Kolbet of Portland, Ore; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Jacoby of Des Plaines, Ill.; two brothers, George Vachta of Cresco, Iowa and Ed Vachta of Wellman, Iowa; three sisters-in-law, Lois McAvoy of Elma, Lola (Bill) Boss of Charles City, Iowa and Donna Kolbet of Osage, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo in 2008; and one great-grandson, Jackson Llewellyn.