Mildred Stolebarger

Mildred Naomi (Smith) Stolebarger was born on Saturday, November 5, 1921 to Harold and Nellie (Richard) Smith in Lewis, Kansas.  She departed this life Saturday, March 24, 2018 at The Cottage in Springfield, Colorado at the age of 96 years, 4 months and 19 days while surrounded by her family.    Mildred was united in marriage to Joe E. Stolebarger on April 3, 1946 at the Lamar United Methodist Church, Lamar, Colorado.  To this union one son, Douglas, and four daughters, Cheryl, Priscilla, Thelma and Paula, were born.   Mildred spent her first years in Kansas moving to Baca County in 1926.  The family settled 7 miles southwest of Springfield and grew to 7 children:  Harold Jr, John, Mildred, Philip, James, Paul and Baby Doris.  Harold Jr, John and Mildred rode a Model T bus to school in Springfield.  The family moved back to Belpre, Kansas in 1928.   The family moved one more time to Baca County in the Fall of 1937, living six miles south of Two Buttes.  It took a 1929 Buick Sedan, an old 1 ½ ton International truck, an old Chevrolet truck and an old Buick coupe stripped down with a box to move all the family and possessions.  By then they had a family of 12.  Baby Robert was added to the family in 1938.   Mildred attended her high school years in Two Buttes, Colorado graduating with the Class of 1941.  She attended college at Lamar Community College the Fall of 1941.  Mildred then worked for Husted Drug store in Springfield.  She met Joe “Bud” Stolebarger in Two Buttes.  The story goes that Bud invited her to a dance, but she told him no.  He arrived at the dance and there she was, so he took his date home and came back, and they were together from then on.   This was the start of World War II.  Bud served in the Navy from December 1941 to November 1945.  During this time Bud and Mildred courted via letters.  Years later Mildred’s kids found some of the letters that Bud had written to Mildred and would snicker as they read such mushy statements as “My Dearest Darling”!   After they married, Bud and Mildred settled in Two Buttes, where they farmed and raised their family.  In addition, Bud was appointed Postmaster at the Two Buttes Post Office in 1956, and Mildred became his Postal Clerk.  When Bud retired in 1983, Mildred took over as Postmaster retiring in 1991.   Some of Mildred’s favorite things were raising her family, raising a garden, cooking for and loving on her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchild.  Her strong faith served her well throughout her life.  She was a true nurturer who never met a stranger and who showed kindness to all she met.    She was active in the Two Buttes United Methodist Church and the Springfield Church of God.  After a church event, you were most likely to find Mildred in the kitchen doing dishes.  Mildred was also a 50-year member of the Rebekah Lodge and was a member of the Fort William Bent Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.    Preceding Mildred in her death, were her mother, Nellie, and father, Harold and her husband Bud.  She was also preceded by her brothers Harold Jr, John, Phil, Jim, Paul, Courtney, Bill, Dan, and Bob along with her sister, Doris.  Also, her daughter-in-law, Leitha.   Mildred leaves to cherish her memories, son Douglas (Diana Sylvester) of Springfield, daughters Cheryl Sanchez of Wiley, Priscilla Schmidt (Craig Bass) of Frederick, CO, Thelma Wells of Springfield, and Paula Stolebarger of Denver.    Grandchildren Kyle Stolebarger, Kevin (Jody) Stolebarger, Michelle (Dwayne) Wallace, Crystal (Jason) Hetrick, Brandon (Michelle) Schmidt, David (Alison Akard) Schmidt, and Joe Bailey Wells, Kim Gable and Travis (Christy) Eskew.  Great grandchildren Madison (Chase Konkel) Burdick, Cooper Stolebarger, Kody (Teri Johnsen) Wallace, Danielle Wallace, Alyssa, Bryce & Caycie Schmidt, and Alexander Schmidt, Kaylean Orlowski, Leland & Essence Zavala, Tobey Gable, Rhett & Delaney Eskew and one great great grandchild, Bodie Patrick Konkel.    Her brothers Pete (Caroll) Smith of Mount Pleasant, Texas, Larry (LaDonna) Smith of Bloomfield, New Mexico and sisters-in-law Virginia Smith, Thermopolis, WY, Emma Jean Smith, Newton, KS, Lynn Smith, Dove Creek, CO, and Barbara Smith, Austin, TX, along with numerous other relatives and friends.  She leaves behind a lasting legacy. The family suggests memorial donations be made in Mildred’s honor to the Two Buttes United Methodist Church (C/O Donna Wood, PO BOX 48, Two Buttes, CO 81084) or the SECHD “The Cottage” (373 East 10th Ave., Springfield, CO 81073).