Mildred Botten

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HANSKA Mildred Botten, 97, of New Ulm, formerly of Hanska, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008 at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm.

A private family funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska with Rev. Aaron Suomala Folkerds officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Schmucker Funeral Service of Hanska is handling the arrangements.

Mildred Ovedia Vee, the daughter of Andrew and Julia (Ouren) Vee, was born Feb. 25, 1911 in Hanska. She attended Madelia High School and received her normal school training in New Ulm, obtaining a two-year teaching degree.

Mildred was united in marriage to Harold Botten Sept. 6, 1935, at Lake Hanska Lutheran Church. She taught country school in LaSalle for several years and eventually completed her Bachelor's degree from Mankato State College in 1967. Mildred began teaching for the St. James public school system in LaSalle where she taught first and second grades for 18 years. After twenty-eight years of teaching, she retired in 1976 and began spending winters with her husband in Harlingen, Texas. There she tutored Mexican children for many years. Harold died in 1997. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska where she sang in the church choir for many years and was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. She also served on the Hanska School Board and the Alumni Board of Mankato State College.

Survivors include her children, Ronald Botten and his wife B of Longville, Minn., Robert Botten and his wife Barb of Chanhassen, Minn., Ann Nelson and her husband Ron of Chaska, Jane Wiken and her husband Tim of Hanska, Mark Botten and his wife Regina of Denver, Colo.; 23 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and sister, Bernice Becken of Hanska.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Eric John Botten; brother Clayton "Pete" Vee; and sisters, Arlene Schmiesing, Orphy Bright and Smila Lee.

Memorials to Zion Lutheran Church and Cemetery are preferred in lieu of flowers.