Mildred M. Spellman, 92

Some people called her “Sis” or “Sister.” Others called her mom or grandma. When she was born, she was simply “Baby Girl Christensen”. It would be years before she chose her own name and came to be known as Mildred Mary Christensen, or Millie for short.

Millie was born in the wee hours of Aug. 21, 1931, to Morris and Violet Christensen. The second oldest of six, she married Richard Spellman in 1948 and together they raised seven children in a three-bedroom house on Oak Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

A homemaker and cosmetologist who cut hair in her basement salon, Millie's generous heart and cheerful spirit brought many people to her door. Much to the chagrin of her husband, she often gave away his cigarettes along with a few haircuts to those who were less fortunate.

As she and Richard watched their family grow, they embraced every new son or daughter-in-law and grandchild born. Every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter their home would be bursting at the seams to the point they would have to remove their livingroom furniture to accommodate the extra tables and chairs.

Summers were spent camping at Branched Oak Lake or taking their children on family vacations to see “the faces” of Mount Rushmore, or to go fishing in the Minnesota lakes. There were trips to Las Vegas, cruises with friends once her husband retired, and road trips to see the Grand Canyon.

And on occasion Millie enjoyed betting on the horse races at Aksarben or gambling at one of the casinos across the river. All that betting paid off one year when, much to her delight, she would win $10,000 and excitedly recount to her husband -- who was away deer hunting that weekend -- the machine she had won on and how much she had bet. He of course was tickled for her.

Millie welcomed all to her home. Everyone knew that when you went to see her, she always had a kind word, a welcoming smile and a pot of coffee at the ready.

A devout Catholic, she beautifully reflected the love and grace of her Heavenly Father.

Millie was preceded in death by her husband Richard Spellman; son Richard Spellman II; daughters, Renee Stanzel and Amelia Koricic; daughter-in-law Sue Spellman; son-in-law Bob Stanzel; mother Violet Christensen; father Morris Christensen; sister Violet Reimers; brothers, Pete Christensen, Tom Christensen, Raymond Christensen, and Ted Christensen.

She is survived by sons John Spellman, Tom Spellman (Lisa); daughters Kim Case and Dianne Peters (Guy); daughter-in-law Luanne Spellman; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.