Mildred Marie "Milly" Richards

1928 - 2022

Mildred Marie "Milly" Richards, 94, of North Platte, passed away on Nov. 20, 2022, at Linden Court in North Platte. Mildred Marie "Milly" Arnold was born on March 15, 1928, in North Platte, to Roy and Alice Arnold. She was baptized into the Catholic faith by Father Patrick McDaid on May 6, 1928. Like many others in the 1930s, Milly grew up in extreme poverty. Her childhood house was a couple of boxcars that her parents were able to make into a home. Milly learned to lean on two things she loved the most, her faith and her family. Milly met the love of her life while working as a car hop at the Shady-Inn. Joseph Scott "Scotty "and Milly were united in marriage on Feb. 16, 1947. Milly spent much of her young adult years as a caretaker for her mother while raising her five boys. Other than caring for her family, Milly had several jobs throughout her life. She worked as a hairdresser both at the Pawnee Hotel and Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. She assisted Scotty with the business affairs of his real estate and insurance company and finally ended her career working for Hoover's Jewelers in North Platte. As a devout Catholic, faith was extremely important to Milly. She worked and coordinated many Cursillos, helping to start the movement in the Grand Island Diocese which is still going strong today. She served as a Eucharistic minister for many years at St Patrick Catholic Church and enjoyed sharing the Eucharist with the homebound, a ministry that was returned to her for years up until her dying days. Milly was a true prayer warrior. She was known to pray for everyone she could from all walks of life. She was open and compassionate no matter their history. The way Milly told a story will be one of the things we remember most about her. While she shared different events from her life, she would use her witty sense of humor to fill the room with laughter. Milly was often surrounded by children. There was no one she loved more than her grandkids. She could hardly contain her excitement which was expressed with a joyful "praise Jesus!" whenever her grandkids entered the room. She would often be found soothing a baby or rocking a toddler. There are many memories of grandkids gathering at her house for large family dinners and sleepless nights on the living room floor. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brothers, Frank and Ray Arnold; and her son, Anthony "Tony" Richards. Milly is survived by her sons, Joseph "Scotty" of North Platte, Michael of Omaha, Patrick (Kari) of North Platte and Steven of Lewellen; grandchildren, Brenda Brummels, Kristopher (Connie) Richards, Michelle (Shaun) Pagel, Sara (Christopher) Ningen, Michael (Lindsey) Richards, Randal Richards, Robert Richards, Zachary Richards, Cody (Jessica) Richards, Christopher (Sunny) Bryant, Charity Richards, Cheri (Cody) Anderson and Alisha (Jeff) Hauser; 24 great-grandkids; and special family friend, Todd Chappell. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Fund. Online condolences may be shared at adamsswanson.com. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with Father Vidya Sagar as celebrant. Burial is at 1 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. The service will be livestreamed at adamsswanson.com. Visitation is from noon to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Rosary follows at 7 p.m. at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.