BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH - MILDRED SCHAEDLER

Mildred was a woman who lived very successful multiple careers.

She received her degree in business from Southwest Baptist University in 1938. Later, she served as Personnel Manager at the National Bellas Hess Company; and she was assistant registrar and secretary to Dr. Lavell Seats at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Her avocation was being a mother. She had four children, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her long-running career as a mother and grandmother spanned 63 years from 1941-2004. During that time she filled the roles of cook, nurse, counselor, teacher of life skills, and tour guide. She and her husband, Jack, were hosts to long summer visits of grandchildren at their vacation property.

Mildred was deeply involved in her church all her life. Her maternal grandfather had been a devout Christian in his homeland of Sweden and brought his passion to his new life in the United States. Mildred was a Sunday School teacher and youth group sponsor for many years.

She added to her knowledge of the world by traveling to fascinating places. Her tours included trips to China, Africa, Northern Europe, Russia, Greece, Turkey and most of States including Alaska and Hawaii. She also thoroughly enjoyed watching the reactions of others to seeing exotic places so she took at least one grandchild with her on each of the trips she took.

If you have attended an Edcon program, you know that Mildred is a central figure and source of great inspiration for Mary and Rachel's work in dementia care.