Mildred Elwell

Mildred Yeakley Elwell, 93, of Sidney, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2024, in Sidney. 

A celebration of Mildred’s life will be held at Faith Methodist Church in Sidney at 10:00 am, Thursday, November 14, 2024 where family and friends are invited to share their memories with Pastor Corey Jenkins officiating. Inurnment in Greenwood Cemetery will follow the service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Methodist Church, Sidney Public Schools Education Foundation, The National Wildlife Federation and the ASPCA. 

Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Chappell and Oshkosh is serving the Elwell family.

Family and friends can leave condolences at www.bondegardfunerals.com.

She was born on August 1, 1931, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to O.C. and Margaret Curry Yeakley. O.C. Yeakley held a management position with Swift and Company and the family lived in several locations while Mildred was growing up. Mildred graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1949 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education degree from the University of Nebraska in 1953, where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and Delta Phi Delta Art Education honorary. She married John Westover Elwell on June 14, 1953, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The couple lived in Virginia and California while John was in Officer Candidates School and became a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After John's tour in Korea, the couple moved to Sidney in 1955. John and Milly were active members of the community while raising their family.

Mildred had a distinguished career as an art educator, serving as a K-12 art teacher at Dix Public Schools from 1969 to 1973, and later at Sidney High School from 1974 until her retirement in 1996. She was dedicated to fostering creativity in her students and enjoyed following their success in many different occupations. Professional leadership roles were an important part of her career that included President of the Sidney Educators and Secretary of the Nebraska Art Teachers Association. Her contributions to education were recognized when she received the Roscoe Shields distinguished service award in 1996.

Beyond her professional life, Mildred was deeply involved in her community. She was a past president of the PEO Sisterhood and a long-time member of Faith Methodist Church, where she actively participated for 78 years. She was a founding member of the Cheyenne County Art Guild, a member of the Cheyenne County Historical Society, Delta Kappa Gamma, AAUW, Panhandle Players and served 10 years as a Girl Scout leader and Job's Daughters Council Member. As a member of Panhandle Players, Milly directed, acted and built sets for various productions. John and Milly enjoyed sailing, skiing, golf and travelling, especially to Husker and Bronco games. Collecting antiques, coins, rocks, ceramics, crystal, silver and art was Milly’s passion, and she acquired many unique finds and curios that she enjoyed sharing with people.

Mildred is survived by her sister Ann Cannon of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; brother John Yeakley (Carolyn) of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister-in-law Lois Elwell Robinson of Savanna, GA; daughters Ann Darling (Ben) of Sidney and Margaret Ropp (Brad) of East Lansing, Michigan; son John S. Elwell of Sidney; grandchildren Elizabeth Elwell Sevcik (Ryan), Gail Hogeland, Charlotte Darling Buhr (Bob), Paige Hogeland (William Desiderio), Lesley Darling, Tess Ropp and great grandchildren Annabelle, Wyatt, Brooklyn and Bennett Sevcik. Feline companions are Peanut and Kohl. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, John W. Elwell, her parents, in-laws John and Hazel Elwell and grandsons Schuyler R. Elwell and John Wendell Ropp. Also preceded by sister-in-law Jane Elwell Christopher (Jack) and brothers-in-law Magnus Robinson and William Cannon.

Mildred’s kindness, creativity, and dedication to her family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her.