Mildred O. King

In Loving Memory of Mildred O. King
(maiden name Bauer)
Mildred O. King was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 10, 1930, and passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in Lakewood, Colorado, on October 13, 2025.
Mildred-lovingly known as Millie, Mom, Grandma, and GG-is survived by her four children: Sharon King-Baker (Dave Baker), Chris King (Jeannette King), Tony King (Sherry King), and Vince King (Theresa King); her seven grandchildren: Colorado Baker, Alex King (Chelcee Medina-King), Kayla King, Cassie King-Gordon (Joey Gordon), Katie King, Jessica King, and Rachel King-Fehringer (Justin Fehringer); and her eight great-grandchildren: Rhea King, Griffin King, Avery King, Brooklynn Gordon, Aubrey Gordon, James Gordon, Greyson Fehringer, and "Baby Fehringer," due in January 2026.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Estella Bauer; her brother, Robert (Bob) Bauer; and her newborn daughter, Cecelia King, who passed away only days after birth.
Mildred grew up in Michigan with her parents and brother. She spent her childhood summers on the family farm in Ohio, where she made countless cherished memories with her cousins-stories she loved sharing throughout her life.
She married Walter G. King in Michigan, and a few years later they moved to Denver, Colorado. They eventually settled in a one-room cabin on Floyd Hill near Idaho Springs. Over time, they expanded it into a four-bedroom home, where they built a life together and raised their four children. For a time, they also owned and operated a laundromat in Idaho Springs.
Mildred's hobbies were as vibrant as she was. She loved playing cards and collecting them from places she visited, solving crossword puzzles and Sudoku, playing bingo, and enjoying the slot machines in Black Hawk. An avid reader, she never missed her daily newspaper and always had a novel nearby. She would often say, "I get the newspaper so I know what day it is." Known for her meticulous attention to detail, she kept careful records of everything.
A woman of many talents, Mildred played the organ at church and belonged to several clubs-including card clubs, a camping club, and a bowling league. Adventurous and independent, she rode motorcycles and was a proud member of the Motor Maids of America in the 1960s.
Throughout her life, she held many jobs: she worked at a bank, the Henderson Mine, and as a semi-truck driver. She also worked as a flagger during the construction of I-70 from Floyd Hill to Idaho Springs. Later, she spent many years in the mortgage business, where she demonstrated her financial savvy by investing in rental properties. Once her children were grown and married, she moved to the Golden/Lakewood area, living in one of the townhomes she owned. Her final position before retirement was with Cobe Laboratories, after retiring she devoted her time to her family and travel.
Mildred was strong, independent, determined, and intentional in everything she did. More than anything, her greatest joy was her family. Her world revolved around her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She raised four remarkable children to always put family first, to do what is right even when it's difficult, and to treat others with kindness and respect. Something she would always say, "be careful of what you say, once you say it, you can't take it back".
She was the heart of her family-the matriarch, the biggest fan, and the most loyal cheerleader. Always positive and supportive, she encouraged her family through every triumph and challenge. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand-or even get someone out of a little trouble when needed.
Mildred was a faithful supporter of her children's and grandchildren's activities: football and basketball games, marching band performances, plays and musicals, Christmas programs, choir concerts, recitals, Grandparents Day programs, horse and mule shows, motorcycle races, and countless others. If her family was there, she was there-supporting and cheering them on. She contributed to all their school fundraisers and believed in supporting her family in every way possible. Wherever she went, she loved talking about her children and grandchildren to anyone who would listen-even strangers. The grandchildren quickly learned this simple phrase, "just ask grandma". They all knew they could count on Grandma for anything.
She loved to travel and enjoyed countless adventures with friends and family-each trip creating new memories that will be treasured forever.
Mildred will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. We will remember her warm smile, infectious laugh, gentle understanding, unwavering encouragement, loving and generous spirit, wise advice, and the many stories she shared about her life. She often said she had lived a good life-and that she was blessed with "the best family, the best kids, the best grandkids." She would often say, "I have lived a good life, and I couldn't ask for a better family."
We are the ones who were truly blessed-to have known her love, to have been guided by her strength, and to have shared in her joy. Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit will live on forever in our hearts and in the beautiful memories she left us.
Free from pain, she is now at peace-and we will forever be grateful for the gift of her love.