Midred "Millie" Meyers, 84, of Grand Island, passed away Saturday, December 16 at her home with family by her side.

Her family and friends will celebrate her life at 3:00 PM, Friday, December 22, 2017, at Cairo Baptist Church (107 E Nile) in Cairo, NE. If you knew and loved Millie, you are invited to come celebrate with them. Bring your memories!

The family requests memorials to be made to New Hope Christian School or the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www.livson.com.

On July 3, 1933, Mildred Lydia Swanson ("Millie") was born at home in Monroe, NE, the third child, to H. Elmer and Lillie Swanson. She resided with her family there until the family moved to a farm near Rising City, NE. At the age of 16, she graduated from Rising City High School and went on to attend Wesleyan University to earn her teaching certificate. Upon completion, she taught at a country school near Rising City. Not surprisingly, many of the students were her age or older. Throughout her life, she entertained her family with stories from her time as a teacher.

Millie's life was changed forever when she met Charles Meyers on a blind date. She married the love of her life on June 21, 1952, at St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus, NE. They began their lives together, setting up home in Columbus. Just one year later on July 5, 1953, they welcomed their first born son Michael Lee into their family. He was followed by two sisters Kristi Ann and Kim Marie, a little brother, Patrick Charles, and finally another sister Sandra Kay, The family called many places home, but their final address was in Grand Island, NE.

Millie was a gifted and creative artist. She could create from pastry and frosting almost anything able to be imagined. Family birthdays were often celebrated with edible masterpieces from unicorns to treasure chests to baby fawns. She was also a master with yarn. Each baby to enter her heart, through bloodline or adoption, received a specially crafted, crocheted blanket. She also gifted many of her grandchildren and great grands with intricate, hand-stitched Christmas stockings. In addition to all of this, she had gifts in gardening, painting, and drawing.

One of Millie's greatest enjoyments in life was traveling. After retirement, she and Charlie would pack up their RV and head south. They spent many seasons snowbirding in Arizona where they made friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Millie had a smile and a presence that made you feel you were the most important person in the room. She was constantly thinking of others. A motto she took to heart was JOY: first think of Jesus, then others, THEN yourself. Her family was her priority. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren knew they could always exchange a hug for a cookie. Her cookie jar was always full of oatmeal cookies and her heart was full of love, thus earning her the esteemed title of "Grandma Cookie."

Millie is survived by her sister, Jeanetta and brother-in-law Gayle; her children: Kristi Pazarena-James, Kim Selden, Patrick Meyers, and Sandy Meyers; her 19 grandchildren; and her 23 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles; and son Michael Meyers.Her faith in Jesus was a testimony to many.

She trusted Christ as her Savior and now rejoices in heaven with Him. She has "fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7)