Mildred M. Peter

Mildred May Peter, the daughter of Bohuslav and Matilda (Besperat) Andrasek, was born November 11, 1932, in the hospital at Timken, Kansas, the second youngest of nine children. The family moved to a farm north of Oakley, KS when she was a little girl. The dryland farm offered few comforts... a house made of limestone blocks with no indoor water or electricity. Heat was found near the kitchen stove during frigid, winter days. In summer, the unrelenting, hot wind blew dirt across the Kansas plains. She remembered walking barefoot to bring in the cattle from the fields, all the while keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes. Mildred attended 1st-8th grades at a one-room, country schoolhouse. She stayed with the pastor and his wife so she could attend high school in town and graduated from Oakley High School, Class of 1951. Mildred met Rinehold Peter, Jr at a church rally. They both played in their respective church orchestras and area gatherings. He had seen her at churches before, and this time, he saved a seat for her right next to him. It worked, although he stood her up on their first date because his 1936 Chevy broke down! Even so, it wasn’t long before romance was in the air and they were engaged. Then, July 13th, 1951, Rine was drafted into the Army, and sent to Korea for two years. They wrote love letters, and while she waited, she planned a wedding. Even made her own wedding dress by hand! On July 17th, 1953, they were united in marriage in Scott City, KS. They celebrated 72 anniversaries together before the Lord took her home. Rine and Mildred moved to Fort Collins, CO, purchasing a home at 811 W Mountain Ave. Although she loved visiting family, she never wanted to move back to Kansas. In 1956, Marlene was born, followed by Arnold in 1961. They later moved up the street to 941 where they raised their children and resided for 61 years. Mildred loved being a mother! She always put her children’s needs before her own. She was a fierce protector, holding teachers and homework at bay to keep Sunday and Wednesday nights for church and family time. Then, came grandkids! What a wonderful grandmother she was! She cuddled, loved, and fed all four! She also adored her great grandchildren and called Lilly and Grace her dolls! Mildred was known for her baking, especially the weekly batch of homemade sourdough bread! She also made delicious potato salad, pies, kuchen, white cookies, and yellow cake with fudge frosting. She enjoyed gardening and canned many fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies (that were great with her bread). Mildred loved flowers, especially her lovely peonies, clematis, and bleeding-heart bushes. She was very thoughtful, always concerned about everyone’s well-being, taking care of others. She was immensly patient, even when a certain grandchild (no names mentioned) scratched her pretty Buick with his bike, she couldn’t be angry with him. She worked various jobs and was later employed at CSU as a housekeeping supervisor until retiring. Rine and Mildred enjoyed many trips across the US, camping in their Airstream, showing their vintage Nash cars, and visiting family and friends. Faith was Mildred’s solid life foundation. She gave her life to Christ Jesus during a tent revival on the Kansas prairie near their farm. Through the years, she served the Lord in many ways. She loved music and played the saxophone, piano, organ, and sang in the choir. She served as a deacon, taught classes, visited care homes, helped with food ministry, and prayed fervently! Mildred prayed for her church, her pastors, and missionaries. She prayed for friends and neighbors. Oh, how she loved and prayed for her family! She prayed for her siblings, their spouses, and their children. She prayed daily for her own husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her greatest desire was to see all her loved ones in Heaven. Mildred, age 93, went to be with her Lord Jesus on November 15, 2025. Preceding her in death were her parents, all her siblings, her daughter, Marlene Lass, one niece, and several nephews. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Rinehold, son and daughter-in-law Arnold and Kenda Peter of Fort Collins, son-in-law Gary Lass of Johnstown, CO, grandson Aren and Suzanne Peter of Laramie, WY, granddaughter Beth and husband Jeremiah McConnell of Fort Collins, CO, grandsons Matthew Lass and Andrew Lass of Johnstown, CO and three great-grandchildren, David, Lillian, and Grace McConnell, a host of nephews, nieces, friends and many family members whom she dearly loved. A celebration of her life will be held Fri, November 21st, 10:00am, at Foothills Assembly of God, 305 W Swallow Rd, Fort Collins, CO. Internment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will take place at Foothills Assembly after interment. Mildred’s gentle heart will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foothills Assembly of God designated to One-a-Week, to support the many projects of home and foreign missionaries. One-a-Week primarily provides the household needs of missionaries, freeing them to serve more fully. Sincere and heartfelt appreciation to her wonderful caregivers at Monarch Greens Residential Assisted Living and Bloom Healthcare and Bloom Hospice. She spoke fondly of you and cared for you all.

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Mildred M. Peter

November 11, 1932 - November 15, 2025