April 2, 1926 – January 8, 2024
Mildred Helen Gaertner (Jackson) “Mitzy” fulfilled her final wish on January 8, 2024 when she left this earth having never succumbed to life in a wheelchair. A determined and self-willed woman with a kind sense of humor, she lived in her home until the age of 97. Her heavenly welcome party includes her husband Walter, sister Loraine, brother Charlie and two children Helen and George. Mildred was born April 2, 1926 to Charles L Jackson and Mildred H Jackson. Growing up during the great depression shaped her early years, resulting in a lifetime of frugality and love for the Queen of England who was her same age. In her teenage years she loved tap dancing and going to the movies with her sister. Before having children, she worked as a receptionist.
On October 9, 1951 she married Walter Gaertner at Overland Christian Church in Overland Missouri. They were blessed with two Children, George Walter and Helen Louise. George died at age 9 in 1966. Helen married and had three sons, Brandon, Adam and Eric. Helen died at age 63 in 2018. After Walter died in 2016, Mildred continued to live on her own, enjoying the Park City Senior community and getting rides to church from Randy and Cherly Thomson. She made many friends in the community and especially enjoyed her talks these past few years with Terry, Lee, Karen and Stella.
Mildred met Walter when he stopped by their house to discuss boarding a horse with her brother. The two got to talking and Mildred invited Walter to a church dance. After they married in 1951, Walter whisked her off to a horse show to celebrate their honeymoon. They continued to run the family dairy farm until 1953 when Walter sold the business and went to work as a tool designer for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. In retirement, their love of horses led them to build a house in O’Fallon, Missouri complete with a barn and land where they raised Morgan show horses and had several cats which Mildred adored.
Walter and Mildred moved to Park City, Utah in 2005 to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. Mildred had a hard shell, but once you got to know her she was the most kind, family and community minded person you ever met. She enjoyed feeding the birds and gardening with special attention to the butterflies. You would often find her sitting in her garage with the door open waving to neighbors as she enjoyed the beautiful Park City mountains and fresh air. She enjoyed crochet knitting for her grandchildren, watching nature documentaries, musicals and everything to do with the Queen. She had a sweet tooth and always had a bowl of ice cream ready for the grandchildren when they visited. She will be best remembered for her devotion to her husband, family and religious faith. Mildred and Walter were members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in O’Fallon and Shepherd of the Mountains in Park City.
Mildred leaves behind her son-in-law Keith Cooley, grandchildren Brandon Klock, Adam (Maryam) Klock, Eric (Jessica) Klock and 6 great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in St Louis, Missouri.