Mildred Elsie Heinze, 93, passed away on June 9, 2025. She was born in Brooklyn, New York to William Charles and Lillian Margaret Smith. She was their second child, following their son, Ernest, a big bouncing boy born at more than 10 pounds. Mildred came into the family weighing half of that. She remained a petite woman throughout her life, but Mil was a powerhouse of faith and love. As a teenager, Mildred's family moved from the city to the countryside of Ellenville, New York, where she attended Ellenville High School. She remained in touch with friends from Ellenville for the rest of her life. After graduating, her parents put her on a train and sent her across the country to River Forest, Illinois, where she attended Concordia Teachers College. At CTC, she met Rudolph Heinze, the man who would set the course of her life in ministry to their mutual Savior, Jesus Christ. Rudi always said that he was attracted to Mil because of the way she displayed her real faith in the Lord, which made her different from the other girls. After graduating with her Bachelors of Education, Millie received a call to a Lutheran school in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She taught kindergarten and played the organ for church services. In 1955, Mil and Rudi were married in Kingston, New York. The couple moved back to Illinois, where Mildred spent her first year of married life teaching kindergarten at St. Paul Lutheran School in Mt. Prospect. A year later, their first son, Phillip was born. Their daughter Lisa followed 19 months later. Two years after that, they had another son, Michael.

Mildred supported her husband's educational journey while their children were young. Rudi's schooling included a master's degree and a doctorate, followed by years of research and travel, which left her as a single parent for long stretches. There were bundles of letters saved in her cedar chest from all the times she and Rudi were separated. In 1967, Mil and the children accompanied Rudi on their first trip overseas to live in the countryside of England for a year. This began Mil's expertise at packing and moving. It would be put to good use over the years!

Mildred became the mother of a fourth child when the family welcomed a nephew, Guy William into the home for five years.  Another trip to England in 1972 brought the family of six to the small village of Five Oak Green. When Rudi returned to teach a semester at CTC, Mil remained in England with the children. Once again, she was mothering on her own, and doing it in a foreign country. She was an adventurous and loyal partner to Rudi.

Mildred's own educational journey continued with a Master's Degree in Library Science from Rosary College in River Forest in 1969.  She worked as a children's librarian in the suburbs of Chicago and years later in college libraries in London, England.

Mil's support for Rudi, and their partnership, was put to the test when he accepted a position teaching in London at Oak Hill College, an Anglican seminary. She had to leave her children in the States and commit to life far away from them, prior to the invention of email and discounted phone calls.  She was inspired by the promises of Jesus in the 10th chapter of Mark. To those who are willing to give up family and country for HIs sake and for the gospel, His blessings would multiply, in the form of new home and family, along with the promise of eternal life.  The sacrifice was real, as she missed out on the childhood of six of her grandchildren while she lived overseas. It was during this period of life that the couple began the practice of morning prayer together. Answers to their prayers blessed multitudes of people over the years. Another blessing during these years was the opportunity to travel together on holidays all over Europe.

Throughout the years of ministry in England, Mil was a bible study leader and prayer warrior. But her main role was as a hostess par excellence, welcoming people into their tiny college home at every turn. The guest books they kept over the years reveal the volume of friends—and friends of friends—who enjoyed bed and breakfast with Rudi and Mil. The people of the Oak Hill community had the blessing of their company for a total of 18 years until their retirement and return to Wheaton, Illinois. Returning in 1998, their ministry continued with the congregation of Church of the Resurrection. A special blessing came their way when son Michael and wife Jennifer surprised them with the gift of two granddaughters in the first few years after their return to the states. The sacrifice Mil made moving to England, and missing out on much of what grandmothers enjoy, was rewarded by the arrival of these precious girls.

It is hard to write about Mildred without including "and Rudi". The two were dedicated to each other in every way and were always willing to mentor young couples prior to marriage. They shared the story of their life together with biblical guidance. Mil also mentored many young women over the years, sharing her unconditional love with them. One year, on her birthday, Rudi honored her with the words of Proverbs 31 which describe an excellent wife, a woman who fears the Lord and whose children rise up and call her blessed.

Since 2017, Mil continued her life of faith without Rudi, eventually moving into the Beacon Hill community where she and Rudi had ministered during evening chapel services over a 15-year period. Beacon Hill was a haven for Millie as her memory failed, but her faith never did. She entered the gates of heaven listening to Scripture read to her by dear friends from her church family.

Mildred is survived by her children; Phillip, Lisa Cumming (Robert) and Michael (Jennifer); eight grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; her sister in law, Caroline Sue Wilke; and multiple nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Wednesday June 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at The Church of the Resurrection, 935 W Union Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187.

Gifts in her honor can be made to World Relief, https://worldrelief.org/ ,  which Rudi and Mil supported throughout their marriage, often choosing gifts from the catalog at Christmas to share with their children.