MILDRED HAYCRAFT "MILLIE" LIICHOW

MILDRED "MILLIE" HAYCRAFT LIICHOW, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., passed away on Monday, Aug. 27, 2010. She was born and raised in Owensboro, Ky. She met and married 2nd Lt. Robert Liichow near Brandenburg, Ky., at her parents' inn, "Doc Run", in July of 1950. They spend the first years of their marriage in Germany. After returning to the United States, she lived the life of an army wife, moving numerous times. She was always involved in the community wherever life took her and her family. She enjoyed reading, music, sewing, tailoring, painting, weaving, knitting, needlepoint, cooking, politics and people. If told she "couldn't" do something because she was a woman, she accepted this challenge and strived to prove others wrong. She had a deep and sincere love for the Lord and her Christian faith sustained her through difficult times. She always looked on the positive side of life. She never sought recognition but received several awards in life, including the "Pushkin Award" from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif. for outstanding achievements in Russian language and for her work in supporting the seminary she received the "Miles Christi" medallion from Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Fort Wayne. She took great pleasure in the recognition from Concordia. She battled lymphocytic leukemia and ITP for nine months. "She was graced by God with quality time to enjoy her family and friends during this time. It can be said that she was able to truly live her life. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her." She is survived by her daughter, Ellen (Don) Rindell of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; son, Robert (Tracy) Liichow of Detroit, Mich.; grandchildren, Kelley, Krista and Dominique; and brothers, William R. Haycraft of Peoria, Ill. and Dudley Haycraft of Mandeville, La. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 1997. A memorial service celebrating her life is 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 8811 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Millie's name to missions at Ascension Lutheran Church.