Mildred Louise Wicks, 87, of rural Austin, died Friday, Aug. 12, 2011, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin. She was born April 23, 1924, to Charles and Minnie (Friesen) Howell in New Virginia, Iowa. After graduating from Virginia High School and beauty school in Iowa, Mildred was the owner operator of a beauty shop in Iowa Falls, Iowa. She married Salmer Wicks on Aug. 7, 1943, at St. Olaf Lutheran parsonage in Austin. They made their home on a farm five miles west of Austin. Mildred enjoyed family and community. A member of Moscow Neighbors Club during the 1950s, she was a Freeborn County Key 4-H leader, founder of the Moscow 4-H Club and attended Oakland Baptist Church. After Salmer’s death in 1985, Mildred worked as a nurses’ aid at Comforcare in Austin for 16 years.

Survivors include her children: James (Carol) Wicks, of North St. Paul, Ethel Sonja (Jostein) Monstad, of Bergen, Norway, Dale (Lee) Wicks, of rural Austin, Raymond (Jean) Wicks, of Plattsmouth, Neb.; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; brother, Lavon (Clyta) Howell, of New Virginia, Iowa; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Salmer; brothers: Kermit Howell and Charles E. Howell.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Baptist Church in Austin with the Rev. Bernie Boldt and the Rev. Raymond Wicks officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Fairview Cemetery, rural Oakland. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.