Mildred L. "Milly" Elliott, 96, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Monday, February 3, 2025, at St. Joseph's Villa in David City, Nebraska.

A memorial service will be held on March 8, 2025, at 10:30 AM, at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Edward Yang officiating.  Family interment will be in Brethren Cemetery near Dallas Center, Iowa, at a later date.

Mildred Louise Elliott, fondly known as Milly, was born at home on her family's farm near Dallas Center, IA on April 1, 1928.  Milly grew up in rural Iowa outside Des Moines and made special memories in her early years attending barn parties where her dad was a square dance caller.  She continued enjoying music and socializing throughout her life as she listened to country western, Elvis, and others, attending concerts when she could.  During school, Milly participated in 4H and made many friends.  She graduated from Ogden High School in Ogden, IA in 1945.

She travelled the country, often in a convertible, and lived in several states. Milly's working life included The Commission for the Blind in Des Moines, IA; Ford Motor Company in Minneapolis, MN and Denver, CO; hotel hospitality all over the country; bookkeeping; and she also sold Mary Kay.   She graduated from the Holiday Inn management training program which offered her the opportunity to live in several states, notably Columbus, OH; Thomasville, Ga; Los Alamos, NM; Minneapolis, MN; Laramie, WY; and Kansas City, MO.  She also worked for the Radisson Hotel in Denver.  She loved the mountains, and for many years lived in Colorado.  She had a cabin near Evergreen where many cherished family memories were made.

She absolutely adored her older brother, Charles, and devoted years enjoying family functions, vacations, holidays, and phone calls with him and their extended family.  She treasured her niece Connie and nephew Lowell over the years, and later, her great nieces and nephews as the generations went on.  A special role in her life was as "Aunt Milly".  She highly valued this relationship with her family and impacted generations.  She visited bearing gifts for all her nieces and nephews, enjoyed a Pepsi, and played cards or did jigsaw puzzles at family gatherings.  Her heartfelt laugh could often be heard during these moments and will be remembered by those who loved her.  Milly always cared for the less fortunate, generously buying or making gifts, especially for children at Christmas time who might not otherwise receive anything.  She loved providing for children through her church.

Milly dedicated much attention towards her dogs over the years.  She especially loved her kind-tempered caramel and white colored dog named Sandy and her black labs Jennifer and Christopher and even painted portraits of them.  She owned a dog most of her adult life, and they kept her active in later years as she enjoyed daily walks with them and taking them on vacations.

An artist at heart, Milly's skillful creations shined with her colorful touch on many works over the years.  She lovingly and patiently fashioned original paintings, stained glass, painted furniture and made other artistic works, often gifting them to family and friends.  She made the world a brighter place.

She was blessed to live a healthy life, and her family and friends are grateful for the final few months she received gentle caretaking at St. Joseph's Villa in David City, NE.

Although she will be dearly missed, her family and friends find comfort knowing she is at peace with her savior, Jesus, and finally reunited with her loving parents Fred and Anna (Kirkman) Elliott, her infant brother, Gilbert, her brother, Charles Elliott (Phyllis), many loved ones, and friends who have gone before her.  She leaves behind her niece, Connie (Elliott) Hellbusch (Jim) of Columbus, NE and family, her nephew Lowell Elliott (Maria) of Springfield, NE and family, along with countless friends and extended relatives.