Mildred Lillian Davenport Boethel
Mildred Lillian Davenport Boethel, age 103 years and 8 months, of Hallettsville, passed away Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at Beehive Homes Assisted Living Center in Spring, where she had been residing since December 2022.
Mildred was born on Dec. 23, 1919, in Vienna, Lavaca County, to Albert and Mary Jane Davenport.
She grew up living and working on a farm with her family during a time when she did her school homework under a kerosene lamp and drew water from a well with a bucket and a rope.
She graduated from Hallettsville High School in 1937.
On Nov. 29, 1939, Mildred married Arthur William Boethel at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hallettsville.
They remained in Hallettsville for a brief time before moving to Kemah and then to Houston where they raised their three sons Arthur, Donald, and Herbert.
She enjoyed babysitting grandchildren, sewing, and spending time with friends from church each weekend. During the summer she would take her family on their annual summer trips to the Texas Hill Country to camp and swim in the Frio River.
Mildred worked various jobs following the birth of her third son until retiring in 1978.
While in Houston, she and her husband, Art were active members of Park Place Lutheran Church from the early 1940s, until leaving Houston after their retirement.
In 1979 Mildred and Art build a home south of Hallettsville near the Williamsburg settlement and moved back to Lavaca County. At this time, they joined the congregation of St. Peter Lutheran Church.
While in Hallettsville, she enjoyed her flower gardens, crocheting afghans for her grandchildren and church fund raisers, canning pickles from their vegetable garden, playing dominoes with friends, and hosting yearly holiday dinners for her family.
She remained in her country home following the death of her husband of 58 years until 2016, when she moved into Hallettsville. She stayed in Hallettsville until just before turning 102 years of age when she decided to give up driving and move to Spring to be closer to her family.
Mildred is survived by her sons, Donald Boethel of Tomball and Herbert Boethel (Micky) of Spring; six grandchildren, Karen Cummings of Cypress, Cassandra Milks (Matt) of Cypress, Christine Lovelace of Houston, Russell Boethel (Sue) of Sugarland, Kristen Boethel of Spring and Amanda Kasowski (Justin) of Conroe; 10 great-grandchildren, Lauren Martini, Jacob Milks, Allison Milks, Alexander Lovelace, Allison Lovelace, Andrew Lovelace, Kelsey Minyard, Ryan Boethel, Hailey Boethel and Wyatt Kasowski; and two great-great-grandchildren, Luke Martini and Kade Martini.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Jane Morley Davenport and Albert Davenport; husband, Arthur William Boethel; son, Arthur Winston Boethel; sister, Ruth Davenport Smith; brother, Donald Davenport, and daughter-in-law, Marilyn Kay Boethel.
Visitation began at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hallettsville.
Funeral services were held at 12 noon Saturday at St. Peter Lutheran Church. Officiants presiding were Rev. Jared Stillions and assisting Rev. Herb Beyer.
Burial followed in the Hallettsville City Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Darrell Boethel, Russell Boethel, Alex Lovelace, Andrew Lovelace, Matt Milks, Justin Kasowski.
Memorials (in lieu of flowers) may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church or a charity of donor’s choice.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.kubenafuneralhome.co