Mildred Agusta Southard

Mildred A. Southard, 92 of Wood River, formerly of Cairo, died Tuesday, March 13, 2013, at St. Francis Medical Center, Grand Island, NE. Services will be at 1:30 P.M. Monday at the Cairo United Methodist Church with the Rev. Melanie Adams officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Cairo. Visitation hours will be 4-7 P.M. Sunday at the Cairo United Methodist Church in Cairo. Memorials are suggested to Cairo United Methodist Church or the donors choice. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family. Mildred A. Southard was born May 24, 1920 near Cairo the daughter of Henry & Minnie (Carstensen) Luhn. She grew up in Hall County receiving her early elementary education in the rural schools of Hall County, graduating from Cairo High School in 1938. She received her Bachelors Degree from Kearney State Teachers College in 1959. She was united in marriage to Harold Southard, June 14, 1953 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island. The couple made their home in Cairo where she taught in rural schools in Hall County and elementary grades in Cairo Public School and later in the Grand Island Public School system for a total of 41 years. Her last 25 years of teaching were at Jefferson Elementary, Grand Island in the 5th grade. Mrs. Southard was preceded in death by her husband, Harold in 1983. She continued to make her home in Cairo until 2004, when she moved to Wood River. Her hobbies include reading, sewing and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Southard was active in her church. She was a lifetime member of the Nebraska Parent-Teachers Association, a past member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, an honorary society for teachers and a past member of the Order of Eastern Star. Survivors of the immediate family include: one step-daughter, Arlene (Southard) Strong and her husband, Gerald Strong of North Platte, four step granddaughters, Terri & Lane Nordin of Gothenburg, Kathy & Roger Earll of Gothenburg, Barbara & Daryl Debus of Lincoln and Deborah Strong of Gothenburg, NE. Also one sister, Jerene Lessig of Phillips, one nephew, Dale & Sharon Lesssig of Wichita, Kansas, niece, Carol Plunkett of Cave Creek, Arizona and a great nephew, Isaac Plunkett of Groton, CT, one sister in law, Bernice Southard of Grand Island. She is also survived by nine step great grandchildren, several step great great grandchildren, other relatives and extended family Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.