Mildred Mae Lewis Arnhols
December 9, 1919 ~ October 3, 2008
Mildred Mae Lewis Arnhols
Mildred was born on December 9, 1919 in a small Midwest town; Benton, Illinois. Her parents were both Midwesterners who were proud of their French Huguenot ancestry to which they attributed their strong sense of values. Mildred could recite family stories about how the French Huguenot ancestors stood by their principals, even when it meant that they would have to flee South Carolina under the cover of darkness because of their Abolitionist views. Little did Mildred know that the family strength in knowing what was important to them would carry them through some very hard times.
Mildred's Mother was the oldest of fourteen children and she worked as a teacher in a small Benton, Illinois school until Mildred was born. Her father was one of four children and an entrepreneur who built homes for a living. Mildred and Nina, her younger sister, had a pretty nice life.
Mildred and Nina would have probably lived their lives in Benton, Illinois if it had not been for one event just before Mildred's tenth birthday; Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929. Without notice the banks closed and people were told their money was gone. That day there was only 87 cents in Mildred's home. Her father owned 8 "spec" houses, but no one could afford to buy them and he eventually lost them one by one because he could not pay the taxes on them. Despite their drastic change in livelihood, Mildred's family was proud. But it was that pride that kept Mildred's father from allowing her to accept the kindness of neighbors. One day Mildred's father saw a neighbor giving Mildred a warm coat that her daughter had outgrown. He immediately intervened and said that his family didn't need charity. That winter Mildred walked to and from school in the cold Midwest weather wearing only a light spring coat. Eventually the family learned to barter and Mildred enjoyed taking piano lessons and learned to sew so she could make her own clothes.
Although the family struggled through this bleak time, they soon began to see that they still had the most important thing of all, the family. As time went on Mildred began to realize just how much her family meant to her. Like the American Girl character Kit Kittredge, she learned that the love and companionship of her family enriched her soul.
When Mildred was 18 her father gave her and Nina enough money to buy one way fare to Saint Louis, MO. where the girls knew they had to find jobs and put themselves through Business School. They graduated from a two year Business School, were able to find secretarial jobs, and began making a place in the world for themselves. They joined a Methodist Church where they met other young people and got involved in some of the Church activities, like cooking Sunday dinner at the Church for lonely soldiers. One Sunday Mildred met a soldier named Dan who made her laugh, and she liked to laugh. Soon she learned that this soldier also liked adventure and wanted to share his adventures with her. Within six months they were married in that same Church and began a life of adventures.
Mildred discovered that Dan liked family, too, and after a few adventurous years, they started their own family. They had three children, Janice, Carol and Dan. Having children just made the adventures a little more exciting! Mildred had the perfect life, a loving husband who kept her laughing, three children to love, and an extended family to love. Her only drawback was that except for her husband and children, her family was usually in a different country. Still her thoughts were always with her family.
Mildred cherished family celebrations like Christmas and birthdays. She was very generous and loved to see her family happy. She was even happier when Dan and Carol married, because that meant more family members to love. She was elated to have four grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Mildred outlived all of her friends, her beloved husband and sister, and all but one of her in-laws. She resided in an assisted living facility where she had a sunny room overlooking a garden. Her room was filled with photographs of people she loved. Every night she went to sleep under a quilt that she helped make as a girl in a family quilting bee. It was one of many quilts that she had from her childhood, but this one was her favorite pattern; the Lone Star.
Mildred Mae lewis Arnhols died on October 3, 2008 at Fair Oaks Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Lt. Col. Daniel Arnhols, USA (Ret.); mother of Janice Arnhols, Carol Bowling and Daniel Arnhols; daughter of the late Clara and William Lewis; sister of the late Nina Lewis Demuth; grandmother of Danielle Anderson, Heather Bowling, Matthew Arnhols and Lindsay Bowling and great-grandmother of Vallie Anderson.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Mildred was born on December 9, 1919 in a small Midwest town; Benton, Illinois. Her parents were both Midwesterners who were proud of their French Huguenot ancestry to which they attributed their strong sense of values. Mildred could recite family stories about how the French Huguenot ancestors stood by their principals, even when it meant that they would have to flee South Carolina under the cover of darkness because of their Abolitionist views. Little did Mildred know that the family strength in knowing what was important to them would carry them through some very hard times.
Mildred's Mother was the oldest of fourteen children and she worked as a teacher in a small Benton, Illinois school until Mildred was born. Her father was one of four children and an entrepreneur who built homes for a living. Mildred and Nina, her younger sister, had a pretty nice life.
Mildred and Nina would have probably lived their lives in Benton, Illinois if it had not been for one event just before Mildred's tenth birthday; Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929. Without notice the banks closed and people were told their money was gone. That day there was only 87 cents in Mildred's home. Her father owned 8 "spec" houses, but no one could afford to buy them and he eventually lost them one by one because he could not pay the taxes on them. Despite their drastic change in livelihood, Mildred's family was proud. But it was that pride that kept Mildred's father from allowing her to accept the kindness of neighbors. One day Mildred's father saw a neighbor giving Mildred a warm coat that her daughter had outgrown. He immediately intervened and said that his family didn't need charity. That winter Mildred walked to and from school in the cold Midwest weather wearing only a light spring coat. Eventually the family learned to barter and Mildred enjoyed taking piano lessons and learned to sew so she could make her own clothes.
Although the family struggled through this bleak time, they soon began to see that they still had the most important thing of all, the family. As time went on Mildred began to realize just how much her family meant to her. Like the American Girl character Kit Kittredge, she learned that the love and companionship of her family enriched her soul.
When Mildred was 18 her father gave her and Nina enough money to buy one way fare to Saint Louis, MO. where the girls knew they had to find jobs and put themselves through Business School. They graduated from a two year Business School, were able to find secretarial jobs, and began making a place in the world for themselves. They joined a Methodist Church where they met other young people and got involved in some of the Church activities, like cooking Sunday dinner at the Church for lonely soldiers. One Sunday Mildred met a soldier named Dan who made her laugh, and she liked to laugh. Soon she learned that this soldier also liked adventure and wanted to share his adventures with her. Within six months they were married in that same Church and began a life of adventures.
Mildred discovered that Dan liked family, too, and after a few adventurous years, they started their own family. They had three children, Janice, Carol and Dan. Having children just made the adventures a little more exciting! Mildred had the perfect life, a loving husband who kept her laughing, three children to love, and an extended family to love. Her only drawback was that except for her husband and children, her family was usually in a different country. Still her thoughts were always with her family.
Mildred cherished family celebrations like Christmas and birthdays. She was very generous and loved to see her family happy. She was even happier when Dan and Carol married, because that meant more family members to love. She was elated to have four grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Mildred outlived all of her friends, her beloved husband and sister, and all but one of her in-laws. She resided in an assisted living facility where she had a sunny room overlooking a garden. Her room was filled with photographs of people she loved. Every night she went to sleep under a quilt that she helped make as a girl in a family quilting bee. It was one of many quilts that she had from her childhood, but this one was her favorite pattern; the Lone Star.
Mildred Mae lewis Arnhols died on October 3, 2008 at Fair Oaks Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Lt. Col. Daniel Arnhols, USA (Ret.); mother of Janice Arnhols, Carol Bowling and Daniel Arnhols; daughter of the late Clara and William Lewis; sister of the late Nina Lewis Demuth; grandmother of Danielle Anderson, Heather Bowling, Matthew Arnhols and Lindsay Bowling and great-grandmother of Vallie Anderson.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Hi Carol and Family – Allen and I are at our shore house enjoying a little relaxation after having a difficult few weeks with illnesses. We are both okay now and shortly are going to visit Andy, Jill and baby Ryan (almost 2). We are sorry we cannot be with you for our Aunt’s burial but Allen has to start a new round of chemo shortly and it is just too much for him to make that drive. You know you will be in our thoughts and prayers and we will be making a donation to a local charity we support in Aunt Mildred’s name and you will be notified when we do that. Love to the whole gang (Carol JEAN) and be brave. You were a very good daughter! Love You, Barbara PS It makes me sad to think she was my only Aunt remaining from our wonderful family.
Oh so many memories of such a classy lady! Sitting at the kitchen table in WNY mesmerized by Aunt Mildred’s delightful stories of the family’s latest adventures, told with such joy, excitement and humor. So spirited, so soulful. Gifts galore from every exotic country! So generous, so kind. Letters with the latest family news – you could literally feel the deep love and pride in her husband, her children and her grandchildren. So loving, so caring. Thank you Aunt Mildred for gracing my life with yours. May you rest in peace and may you live on forever in all those lives you have so lovingly touched. To Janice, Carol and Dan – may you find peace and comfort knowing your Mom is at rest. May you feel her love for you every day of your lives.
Sorry I live so far away and won’t be there for the services at Arlington – my best wishes always,Dottie
We were blessed with Mildred’s care and concern for our health and well being, and her spirit of dedication and self-sacrifice. May she now enjoy the reward of a life well-lived in God’s holy presence!
Dear Carol and family, there is no love stronger or more fulfilling as the love a mother has for her children. Having gone through the loss of my Mom, I have you in my prayers and close to my heart. Your mother has earned her rest, her reward, a special place in the house that Christ assured his children. She is home, safe, comfortable and well-loved. My deepest sympathy Barbara Zimmermann
Mrs. Arnhols was born on December 1919 at almost the same date as my husband, George. He left us four months ago and I share your sorrow.
Dear Carol and family, I remember going to the beach with your family almost 100 years ago. Your mother’s laughter, stories, and vacuuming after all of us stay with me. Her laugh was like a beautiful bell. I’m thinking of you today, and am so sorry that I won’t be able to be with you. Love, Anne