Mildred L. Tusler

Tusler, Mildred Louise Fenton, 93, of Wichita, died peacefully in her home Tuesday, September 26, 2006. Services will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 30, 2006 Downing Lahey East Mortuary. She was born May 8, 1913 in Manchester, OK, a middle child and older daughter. Her mother died when she was 2 1/2 after the birth of her younger sister. Her ailing Grandmother came from Illinois to care for the small children. Her father worked for the Santa Fe railroad. When she was 12, her grandmother died and the family moved to Anthony, KS where Mildred was responsible for managing the household while attending school. She excelled in High School graduating with high grades and a scholarship to Emporia Teachers College. It was in the depths of the depression and she could not attend college due to her lack of resources coupled with family obligations. In the early 1930s, she left her clerical job at the courthouse in Anthony and followed her brother to Wichita where she became a domestic in the household of the Wichita University Football coach. After she was established , her sister joined her in Wichita finding similar employment. Mildred was an ambitious young woman and soon realized the secretarial field would provide her with better advancement. She worked for Ripstra-Turner, KGE Alcoa. Retiring at 65 after working for 20 years with Travelers Insurance. She met and married Gerald Cleve Tusler in 1941. Her first child Linda Sue was born in the next year and her husband left 6 weeks later for 3 1/2 years of service as a medic in the European Theatre in WWII. He returned in 1945 and her son Richard Cleve was born in 1948. Her youngest child Robert Kent was born in 1956. Her husband died 3 months later of heart failure. Mildred continued her secretarial work rearing her children and eventually seeing that all 3 attended college. After her retirement, she worked diligently in her extensive flower garden. She became a quilter making beautifully pieced quilts for family members. She was an early member of the Prairie Quilt Guild. Mildred was a collector and loved attending estate sales, where she found the treasures that furnished her comfortable home with antiques and allowed her to start collections for her Daughter and Grandchildren. She was an active member of Meridian Avenue Baptist Church and for many years arranged the Sunday flowers. For the last 9 years Mildred faithfully attended water exercise classes three times a week including this past Monday. Although her resources were modest, she was generous, always sharing and always providing small items of beauty and comfort to friends and family. Her friends in return, provided the generous assistance that allowed her to remain in her home for which her family is very grateful. A special thanks to her good neighbor, Alan for his love and care. Mildred is survived by her daughter Linda Laird and husband Larry Haney of Green Valley, AZ, sons; Richard Tusler and wife ShauMee of Palm Bay, FL and Robert Tusler of Marina del Rey, CA,, 6 grandchildren and 7 Great-grandchildren, 3 nieces and their families and 1 nephew