Mildred Szwanek age 96, of Mullen, NE passed away on October 3, 2026.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10:30 AM MT at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen, NE. Burial will follow in the Cedarview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Mullen EMT’s, Mullen Fire Department, St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Cedarview Cemetery. A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Friday, October 9th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Mullen Funeral Home. Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 PM at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Govier Brothers Mortuary/Mullen Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at govierbrothers.com
Mildred Ann (Prentice) Szwanek and her twin sister Myra Elizabeth were born on June 29, 1930, in Mullen, NE to Robert and Elsie (Reigle) Prentice. Mildred grew up in southern Cherry County, near Mullen, attending country school K-5, then 6th through 12th in Mullen, graduating from Mullen High School in 1948. After high school Mildred attended Parks Business College in Denver, CO for a year, then she attended Chadron State College for two summers earning her Teaching Education certificate. Mildred then taught at a country school south of her home in Cherry County.
On May 10, 1952, Mildred was united in marriage to Frank Peter Szwanek at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen. In 1952, Mildred started working at the Mullen Hospital, then in 1962 went to work for the doctor’s clinic as a nurse, where she continued to work and retire from at the age of 80.
Mildred enjoyed softball, golfing, bowling, embroidering/quilting, playing Bridge and 500, planting flowers, entertaining people, traveling including many trips to Phoenix, a Hot Air Balloon ride, an Amtrak train ride from Washington to California, Alberta Canada, and an extended trip to Newfoundland, where Frank was stationed during the war. Mildred was a member of the Legion Auxiliary and Altar Society and enjoyed being involved in these and other community activities.
Mildred was a very loving and caring person. She made friends easily and was well respected in the community. She will be remembered by her charm and her genuine concern for others.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Frank, and parents Robert and Elsie Prentice, twin sister Myra Elizabeth Fackler, sister Evelyn Prentice, and brothers Wayne, Tom, and Robert Prentice.
Mildred is survived by daughter Janice (Jerry) Grummert of Beatrice, son Michael (Jennifer) Szwanek of Lincoln, grandchildren Daniel (Jennifer) Grummert of Lexington, Benjamin (Lauren) Grummert of Newnan, GA, Nicholas (Nicole) Grummert of Beatrice, Grant (Katie) Szwanek of Littleton, CO, and Garrett Szwanek of Denver, CO, great-grandchildren Karsyn, Lane, Ellie, Vera Grace, and Augustus.
