Millie Beckler

Mildred Jeanette (Atenhan) Beckler was born in Deshler, Nebraska, on Oct. 14, 1934, to John and Emma (Maschmann) Atenhan. She was the youngest of four children.

Millie attended Kiowa Country School through the 4th grade, attended St. Peters Lutheran parochial school through the 8th grade and graduated from Deshler High School in May 1952. In high school, she was a cheerleader and was in the senior class play "The Websters." along with her future husband, Thomas Beckler. After graduation, Millie attended Wichita Business College and completed their secretarial program.

On Feb. 4, 1955, Millie married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Beckler, at Fort Bliss, Texas. After the wedding, Tom was stationed at Ladd Army Airfield in Fairbanks, Alaska. Millie and two other new army brides left from Holdrege, Nebraska, to drive the 3,300 miles to Fairbanks to be with their new husbands. They drove the ALCAN highway, which was unpaved at the time, and Wikipedia describes as a "rough, challenging drive."

After completing his service in the Army, Millie and Tom moved back to Nebraska in 1956, and made their home in Superior for the next 38 years. Millie worked as a legal secretary for Downing & Downing Law Firm for many years until she and Tom purchased the men's clothing store from Tom's uncle in 1972. After that, Millie and Tom worked together to own and operate Beckler's Clothing.

In 1994, Millie and Tom retired and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, which had long been a dream of theirs. While in Vegas, they made many new friends, and enjoyed all that the casinos offered: gambling, buffets and stage shows. It was a happy time for them!

After a serious car accident in Las Vegas in 2013, Millie and Tom moved to California where their daughter, Cindy and her family, helped Millie recuperate from injuries she sustained in the accident. While in California, they were able to enjoy time at the ocean, great restaurants and Southern California culture.

In 2015, they moved back to Nebraska to make their home in Omaha. While back in her home state, Millie enjoyed cheering on the Huskers, making new friends in their retirement community, and making a home out of their apartment. On Feb. 15, 2023, she died peacefully in her home with family members around her.

Millie had an infectious laugh, loved to tell a good joke, and was often the life of the party. She enjoyed interior decorating, planting flowers and was known for having a meticulously manicured lawn. Her beautiful landscaping was publically recognized in both Superior and Las Vegas.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Theresa; brother, Donald; sister, Delores; an infant son; and granddaughter, Lynsie.

She leaves behind her husband, Tom; daughter Cindy Wood (Ted); son, Tony Beckler (Karla); and daughter ,Lisa Scheidies (Tim); as well as six grandchildren: Erin, Rachel (Mike), Brooke, Sara, Andrew and Darci; and one great-granddaughter, Evangeline.

A private service and burial for immediate family was held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at The Omaha National Cemetery, with a Celebration of Life Reception for family and friends that same day at 3 p.m. at Maple Ridge Retirement Community, 3525 North 167th Circle, Omaha.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Peaceful Hearts Holistic Foundation, Inc.

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