Mildred L. Fitzke

At our Alberding-Wilson location in Harvard, NE. Harvard resident, Mildred L. Fitzke, 97, died Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Harvard Rest Haven , Harvard, NE. Rosary will be Monday, November 19, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Harvard, NE. Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Harvard, NE with Father James Benton officiating. Burial will be in the Harvard Cemetery, Harvard, NE. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the rosary and 1 hour prior to the service at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Harvard, NE. The Alberding -Wilson Funeral Home, Harvard, NE, are in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Mildred was born December 15, 1909 to Valentine Joseph and Alice (Owen) Dieringer on the family farm southwest of Harvard, NE. She attended Harvard South Central Ward grade school and graduated from Harvard High School in 1926. She attended summer schools at Hastings College and Kearney State College, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She took extension courses and night classes. She graduated from Kearney State College in 1963. Mildred taught school for 3 years in rural schools in Kearny and Phelps counties and 42 years in Harvard public school retiring from there in 1973. She continued there as a substitute teacher. She married Clair Fitzke, October 5, 1944 after his return from service in the Navy in the South Pacific. They were married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harvard, NE. Clair died August 15, 1958. She was a life long member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, a member of the Altar Society, the Lincoln Diocese Council of Catholic Woman, The Crosier Lay Apostolate, Correspondent for the Lincoln Catholic Register and taught catechism for 20 years. She was a member of the Local, State and National Teacher's Association, American Legion Auxiliary, P.E.O., Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, the Harvard Woman's Club and the Over 60 Bunch. She was a Life Member of the Clay County Historical Society and served on the board as well as the Harvard Rest Haven Board, Harvard Public Library Board, Clay County Social Services and was the Harvard for Democratic chairman. In 1976 she was chairman of the Harvard Bicentennial Celebration and was a member of the planning committee for the Harvard Air Base 50th Anniversary event in 1992. She is survived by 6 nieces and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clair, her parents, 1 sister, Margaret Simpson, 3 brothers, Leo, Harold and Raymond, 1 sister in law, Pauline Dieringer, and 2 nephews. Memorials may be given to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Clay County Museum or the Crosier Lay Apostolate.