Obituary for
Mildred C Fleiner
October 26, 1927-November 29, 2011
Ralph Waldo Emerson best described the total essence of Mildred (84) in his poem when asked to define success, “Laugh often and much.” Mildred and her brothers, Jack (Phyllis), Joe (Kathy) and Mick (Donna) and sister Dolores (Robert Rolando), were born and raised in the Mining city of Butte, Montana by parents, Peter Kennedy and Marie (Leary) Kennedy. Mildred and William D Fleiner, Sr. were married on September 3, 1949 after William returned from the World War II. While living in Butte, four children were born, William, Jr., Linda, David and Jack. William, Sr. left Butte to find work in San Francisco. Mildred stayed in Butte until they could move the family to San Francisco where their fifth child, Joseph, was born. Due to life threatening cancer William, Sr. again had to leave his family and went to Reno, Nevada because he could no longer work in the trade industry. Mildred continued to raise the family in San Francisco until her husband could bring the family together in Sparks, Nevada where Michael, the sixth child, was born. Eventually the family moved to Reno, Nevada where their seventh and last child, Dolores, was born.
“To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.” Mildred lived life to the fullest. She was the backbone of her family, raising seven children Catholic and making sure they attended parochial school. She was an avid supporter of her children and all their interests. She was very proud of her Irish Catholic heritage. She was always ready for a good party and the last one off the dance floor. She was ahead of her time working full time outside the home to contribute income for the family. She retired from the Nevada State Bank in 1989. But most of all she loved her family and friends. All of her children, grandchildren and sons and daughters-in-law were uniquely precious to her.
Mildred and her husband eventually returned to Montana and resided in Helena until William passed away in December of 2002. At that time, she moved to Reno to be cared for by her daughter, Dolores, and family. On November 18th, 2011 Mildred was brought back to Montana where she was placed in assisted living. The following Tuesday, she fell as a result of a fractured hip. The hip was repaired at St. Peters Hospital. She had been transitioned into rehabilitation care on Tuesday, November 29th, when she passed away unexpectedly.
“To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others”. Mildred was no stranger to heartache and adversity, as well as health issues. She was a survivor of both breast and colon cancer. She acquired Alzheimer’s in late life. Her strength was her ability to laugh at herself and maintain her kind and gentle spirit. She was loved by everyone who knew her. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition”. Mildred is preceded in death by her husband William, Sr.; her mother and father Peter and Marie Kennedy; and step-mother Louise; her brother, Joseph, and brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Catherine Freshman; beloved sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Robert Rolando; sister-in-law, Phyllis Kennedy; brother-in-law, Robert Fleiner, father and mother-in-law, Herman and Katherine (Ferran) and step-mother Clara Fleiner; son-in-law Kenneth Brock; and former so- in-law Edson Foust; niece, Connie Kennedy; and cousin, Robert Lee.
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived”. Mildred’s survivors include her children William, Jr. (Charlotte); Linda Brock; David (Robin); Jack (Karen); Joseph (Cyndi); Michael (Christine); Dolores Wardwell (Richard). Grandchildren include William (Deano) Donald Fleiner, III, Darren Fleiner, E.J. Foust, Stephani Price (Matt), Bridget Fleiner, Shane Brozowski, Kevin Fleiner, Jennifer Sanders (Nate); Erik Fleiner, Tarah Mattei (Lyle); Bryan, Nicole and Rachel Wardwell.
Nieces and nephews are Larry (Teresa), Lynn Gillig (Ed), Kathy Brockel (Darren), Patrick (Tara), (Joseph and Kathy); John, Robert, Patrick (Lisa) , Kennedy (Jack and Phyllis); Arlene, Bob, Thomas (Linda), Janet Leone (Sam), Gerrie Rambin; Jim (Anika) (Robert and Dolores Rolando); Mike, Chris and Dan Kennedy (Mick and Donna Kennedy); Karen Austin (Bill), Joe ( Christi); Dan ( Keri); Kathy DeMaris (Don); Kimberly Rossi (Joseph and Catherine Freshman).
The family wishes to express their thanks to Jo and Leroy Gibson at Our House, Peter Hanson, MD, Lee Travis, MD, the nursing staff on the Surgical Unit of St Peters Hospital; Cheryl Vukasin and the nursing staff at Elkhorn Health and Rehabilitation in Clancy, who all made our mothers life very comfortable for her brief return to Helena. Additionally the family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care Mildred received during her former years in Helena from Dr. Jay Larson and her special relationship with Rene O’Reilly.
“This is to have succeeded”. Mildred you succeeded, God bless you.
Services for Mildred will be held on Monday, December 5th, 2011 starting with open viewing at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home located 3750 North Montana at 1:30 P.M. There will be a Rosary at 7:00 P.M at the funeral home the same evening. On Tuesday December 6th, 2011, Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Helena Cathedral starting at 12:00 P.M. A luncheon will follow in the Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral. The family will travel to Butte, MT at 2:30 P.M where interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery at 3:30 P.M.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Audrey Todd says
Bill, Charlotte and family… So sorry to read of your mothers passing. Thinking of you at this time.
Carolann Leary says
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Millie was a wondeful women. I remember visiting her with my dad and grandmother (Jack Leary and Eva Leary) many times. I have wonderful memories of the Kennedy clan.
Cheryl Vukasin says
Dear Fleiner Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It was an honor and privledge to be of service
Respectfully,
Cheryl Vukasin
& Elkhorn Health & Rehab Staff
Dave Anderson says
Bill, and all of your wonderful family ….
I will cherish forever the memories of Reno, Lake Mary Ronan, your parents, the good times that we had.
My most sincere condolences to all of you.
Diane (Williams) Frese says
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Millie. She made me feel so welcome at many of your family gatherings, and I’ll never forget her smile.
Gino Dunfee says
David: My condolences on the loss of your mom. Sincerely,
Gino
John Brewer says
Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Judy Thompson says
So sorry to hear of your mothers passing. She certainly had a bright and cheerful soul,,,
Karen McOmber says
In 1965, I lived next door to the Fleiner family. Marge and Deo Hallmark lived on the other side. My then husband, Norman Crouch, and I lived there for about three years our daughter, Tracy, was born during that time. I remember all the Fleiner children fondly. They were a wonderful family. I especially remember Bill Jr… I think we called him “honey bear” ? I remember being invited to a make-up party put on by Millie…the only thing I remember was the lady said we should all shave our eyebrows and then if nothing else, in the mornings, always remember to draw those eyebrows on again! What? I never did that…!
I’m very sorry to read of Mildred’s passing. I can only say that knowing them 45 years ago was an honor and I think of the family often! God bless you all.
Karen McOmber