On September 25, 1927 Frank and Verna Ehlenburg welcomed the birth of their daughter Mildred Jeanette in Billings, Montana. Her brothers Charles and Wayne stayed close to her all their lives. When growing up she became active in 4-H and won a train trip to Chicago for her sewing skills.  After finishing her first year of college to become a teacher, she took a summer position in the gift shop at Pahaska Tepee at the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  Mildred loved Yellowstone ever since her grandfather was a blacksmith there. She met and fell in love with Thermon (Tom) Sweeney who was working as a mechanic at a service station. Prior to meeting Mildred, he served in World War II.

Mildred was from Montana, Tom was from Kentucky, but they decided to make Colorado their home. She had three daughters, Barbara Jean, Susan Kay, and Carolyn Ann and enjoyed her loving family. Family being an important part of her life, she always looked forward to car trips for family vacations visiting relatives in Montana, Kentucky, and Arizona. Mildred was active in Homemakers Club, a Girl Scout Leader, as well as being an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed making dance and Halloween costumes as well as sewing clothes for her daughters and granddaughter. She was content being at home as a homemaker enjoying her house and garden. She was always supportive of her daughters and their dreams. Mildred was proud of Colorado and loved to take her daughters, grandkids, and relatives to enjoy the Denver Zoo, historical sites, museums, and parks. She entertained her family and friends with delicious dinners.

After Tom retired at 65, they could do more traveling and camping. They joined the Good Sam's Club where they enjoyed camping trips with friends. Mildred enjoyed traveling trips with all her daughters. She was able to enjoy not only the US and but also Europe while visiting Barbara who lived in Germany. Over 30 years she traveled with family members to Germany, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Lichtenstein, Poland and Luxembourg. She enjoyed watching her grandkids and great grandkids participating in baseball, basketball, volleyball, cross country, soccer, ice skating, dance, and gymnastics. She enjoyed opera, classical and country music, but especially the gospel music sung by her nephew Roger Sweeney and his family.

After 50 years in her home on Moline Street, she moved into Heather Gardens, a carefree retirement community, for 15 years. When her dementia progressed, she was in three care facilities over five years where she could have 24-hour care. Mildred died peacefully with family at her bedside. She is reunited with her parents, brothers, husband, many family members and friends who she had lost over her 96 years. She will long live in the memories of her daughters (Barbara, Susan and Dan Hall, Carolyn and Gary Ponikiski), grandchildren (Jason and Jen Hall, Janelle and Chad Kirkey), great-grandchildren (Sydney and Taylor Hall, and Tessa and Tegan Kirkley) and other family members and friends who knew and loved her.

Committal service will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, 1:00pm, Staging Area A, at Fort Logan National Cemetery 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236. Please arrive 15 minutes early to Staging Area A.