CASPER, Wyo. — Mildred Fitzstephens, 93, passed peacefully at Wyoming Medical Center the morning of May 9, 2017. She was born Mildred Caroline Beck to Fred F. Beck and Anna Louise (Peschka) Beck in Barton County on Nov. 4, 1923. Her siblings were Leona Weiser of Great Bend and Art Beck of Barton County, who preceded her in death, and Dorothy Johnson of Tennessee and Larry Beck of Oklahoma who survive. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Aaron Lee Wirth of Casper.
She married Emmett William (Bill, “Fitz”) Fitzstephens on April 10, 1951, at the St. Rose Church in Great Bend with their reception following at the parish hall in Odin. He died on April 21, 1979. They had five children, all of whom survive. They are Kathryn Anne Mueller (husband Phillip “Doc”) of Springfield, Ill.; Janet Louise Fitzstephens of Casper, Wyo.; Barbara Susan Wirth of Casper, Wyo. and her son Ryan and wife Jennifer of Sour Lake, Texas, and children Jaxsen, Rylee, Baxter and Brynn; Mary Elizabeth Plum (husband Steven Plum) of Casper, Wyo. and daughter Shayne Elyse Braun; and Daniel Joseph Fitzstephens and children Lilla “Sam” and Bluin, of Lyons, Colo. Mildred was a registered nurse, having graduated from St. Catherine’s Nursing School in Garden City. She also served as a part of the national nursing cadet corps in World War II. She and Bill enjoyed their lives as they moved from Plainville to El Dorado to Casper, Wyo., as a part of his profession in the oil industry. After his death, she remained busy and productive in a variety of capacities, including as a nurse at Memorial Hospital and for the United Blood Services.
She was a wonderfully social person, well read and with an active mind throughout her life. She loved crossword puzzles, Scrabble and other word games. She laughed easily and happily in the presence of her friends and family, and she gave her affection without reservation. She was also a person of faith and a devout member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Casper. She was able to remain in her home and to enjoy her long life due in large part to the loving care of daughter Barb, who shared her home and the responsibilities of her care. There is no way to adequately express the loss of this loving life. All those who knew her and loved her will remember her with great fondness.
A visitation was held on Friday, May 12, at Newcomer Funeral Home. A Mass was held on Saturday, May 13, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial occurred on May 16, at Highland Cemetery. To leave a special message for Mildred’s family visit www.NewcomerCasper.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Newcomer Funeral Home & Crematory**
710 East 2nd Street
Casper, WY 82601
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 21, 2017
