Mildred Sophie Loe was born August 26, 1914, in Ross, North Dakota; she was the daughter of Henry and Ingeborg Loe. Her mother died when she was 13 years old. Her father was not able to care for the nine children by himself, so the children lived in various foster homes and the Fargo Children’s Home. After graduating from high school, Mildred lived and worked in Fargo, North Dakota. She later moved to Washington, DC, with her sisters, Maude and Karol. They all worked for the War Department.

Mildred met Chester Zalewski at Arlington National Cemetery, when he was stationed there and she worked there. They were married on January 12, 1944, at Bowling Field Chapel in Washington, DC. After Chester was discharged from the Army Air Force, they moved to Illinois, where several of Chester’s family members lived. They took great pleasure in raising their two children and were proud of their home and family.

Mildred enjoyed being active in the community, gardening, cooking, and baking. Her family particularly appreciated her skill as a baker. She remained close to her siblings throughout her life and made sure they kept in touch with each other and got together regularly.

Mildred Zalewski died unexpectedly Sunday, January 27, 2008, at her home in East Moline, Illinois. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her husband of 64 years and their children, grandchildren, and great grand children as well as one sister and two sisters-in-law survived her. She was preceded in death by her sisters - Maude and Ruth Karoline Loe and her brothers - Torgny, Sidney, Elgin, and Amber Loe, and Vern Jacobson.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 31, at Van Hoe Funeral Home in East Moline. Interment followed at Moline Memorial Park Cemetery.