Mildred Caroline Constien (née Staiger) of Carol Stream passed into eternal life on February 27, 2021 in St. Charles, Missouri at the home of her daughter, Carol.

Mildred was born on October 24, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to William and Laura Staiger. The youngest of three children, Mildred followed in the footsteps of her brothers, Walt and Herb, when she attended St. John Lutheran Elementary School and then high school at Luther Institute. Mildred had an inquisitive spirit and zest for life. She greatly enjoyed her studies and also enjoyed being physically active in activities such as ice skating, horseback riding and participating in competitive sports. After graduating from Luther, Mildred worked in downtown Chicago in the banking industry.

Her involvement with her church led to her meeting a young Air Force airman from Oklahoma who was stationed at the Congress Hotel during the war. The airman, Alvin Constien, along with other young servicemen, were welcome to attend services at Mildred's church. Al and Mildred soon began seriously dating. Mildred had an eye opening experience when she visited Alvin's family homestead in Hinton, Oklahoma. The city girl rode horses, participated in farm chores and learned the names of Al's eight siblings, and an assortment of extended family members. By May 5, 1945, Alvin and Mildred were married and settled in Chicago for the early years of their married life.

Al and Mildred purchased property in 1949 to build a house in Lombard, Illinois which was considered a far western suburb at the time. In 1949, their daughter, Carol was born and in 1954, their son, William (Bill) was born. Throughout their years living in the Chicagoland suburbs, Mildred and Al were faithful and active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in York Center (Lombard) and later Zion Lutheran Church in Bensenville. Besides her contributions to her church, Mildred worked as an administrative assistant at Scotts department store and Illinois Tool Works.

After their respective retirements, Al and Mildred lived for 5 years in Yukon, Oklahoma where they were close in proximity to Al's relatives. When Al's health began to fail in 1995, they moved back to Illinois near their son's home. Mildred was faithfully devoted to caring for Al during his years of waning health. At this time, she found a new church home at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. She was an active member of the senior citizen J.O.Y. Group. Well into her early 90's, she continued to use her little red Jeep to drive fellow seniors to church services at St. John.

Mildred's family and friends remember her deep commitment to her faith and her supportive love of family members. She was also known for her wonderful baking skills, her sense of humor, her love of music, her thoughtfulness and her sense of adventure. She learned to water ski in her thirties, she loved riding roller coasters with her grandchildren, she took up snow skiing at fifty, tried driving a Segway in her eighties, and took a hot air balloon ride for her 90th birthday.

Mildred and Al were married for fifty-three years when he passed in 1999. In addition to Al, Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. Mildred is survived by her children Carol (Don) Hemwall and Bill (Janet) Constien. Mildred has granddaughters, Christa
(Bruce) Gifford, Dawn (Steve) Mortensen, Julie (Ryan) Diem, and Karen (Ethan) Karolczak, and one step-granddaughter, Candace (Jeff) Rakow. She was blessed with eleven great grandchildren, Emily and Luke Gifford, Phoebe and Stella Mortensen, Ashlyn, Luke and Zach Diem, Josh and Brian Karolczak and Drake and Faelyn Rakow. Mildred was also known affectionately as "Mutz" to many nephews, nieces and family members.

A memorial service will take place at St. John Lutheran Church at 410 N. Cross Street, Wheaton on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. A visitation will take place at 10 a.m. with a service commencing at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mildred's name to Bethesda Lutheran Communities , 600 Hoffmann Drive, Watertown, WI 53094 (www.bethesdalc.org), J.O.Y. Group, St. John Lutheran Church , 410 N. Cross Street, Wheaton, IL 60187 (stjohnwheaton.org) or the Angel Fund, Immanuel Lutheran School , 115 S. 6th Street, St. Charles, MO 63301 (immanuelstcharles.org).

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.