Mildred Fitzstephens, 93, passed peacefully at Wyoming Medical Center the morning of May 9, 2017.

She was born Mildred Caroline Beck to Fred F. Beck and Anna Louise (Peschka) Beck in Barton County Kansas on November 4, 1923. Her siblings were Leona Weiser of Great Bend, Kansas and Art Beck of Barton County Kansas, who preceded her in death, and Dorothy Johnson of Tennessee and Larry Beck of Oklahoma who survive. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Aaron Lee Wirth of Casper.

She married Emmett William (Bill, “Fitz”) Fitzstephens on April 10, 1951 at the St. Rose Church in Great Bend, Kansas, with their reception following at the parish hall in Odin, Kansas. He died on April 21, 1979. They had five children, all of whom survive. They are Kathryn Anne Mueller (husband Phillip “Doc”) of Springfield, Illinois: Janet Louise Fitzstephens of Casper; Barbara Susan Wirth of Casper (her son Ryan and wife Jennifer of Sour Lake, Texas, and children Jaxsen, Rylee, Baxter and Brynn); Mary Elizabeth Plum (husband Steven Plum) of Casper and daughter Shayne Elyse Braun; and Daniel Joseph Fitzstephens (children Lilla “Sam” and Bluin) of Lyons, Colorado.

Mildred was a registered nurse, having graduated from St. Catherine’s Nursing School in Garden City, Kansas. She also served as a part of the national nursing cadet corps in World War 2. She and Bill enjoyed their lives as they moved from Plainville, Kansas, to El Dorado, Kansas, to Casper as a part of his profession in the oil industry. After his death, she remained busy and productive in a variety of capacities, including as a nurse at Memorial Hospital and for the United Blood Services.
She was a wonderfully social person, well read and with an active mind throughout her life. She loved crossword puzzles, Scrabble and other word games. She laughed easily and happily in the presence of her friends and family, and she gave her affection without reservation. She was also a person of faith and a devout member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Casper. She was able to remain in her home and to enjoy her long life due in large part to the loving care of daughter Barb, who shared her home and the responsibilities of her care.

There is no way to adequately express the loss of this loving life. All those who knew her and loved her will remember her with great fondness.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 5-7p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home. A Mass will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Burial will occur on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Highland Cemetery.