Mildred L. Keith-Nibeck

Mildred Louise Longfellow Peuter Keith Nibeck

Mildred leaves a legacy of faith, loyalty, service, and kindness. Millie had a personal relationship with God which was a thread in every part of her life. When you were around her, she was full of life, hope, joy, and concern for others, and it was evident that she walked closely with her Savior. Her greatest joy was her family. She loved her husbands well, and her daughters carry on the legacy of sacrificial love toward others.

Her family was her heart. She was well connected with all of her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren through visits, facebook, and pictures. Mildred had many friends who enjoyed traveling, socializing, and serving the church together. The dedication of Millie to Swope Park Baptist Church (Grace Point) for 88 years, was demonstrated by assuming many leadership positions: Womens’ Missionary Union Director, Women on Mission President, and Sunday School Teacher and Director. She was co-chair of the Prayer Chain until a few months’ before her passing.

Mildred Louise was born to Erskine and Elva, June 4, 1922, and was raised in Southeast Kansas City, Missouri. She was in the first graduating class of Southeast High School 1939, before going to Kansas City Junior College, where her dad was a professor of chemistry. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1943 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1945, Millie married Jimmie Peuter, whom she had met in Kindergarten at Blenheim Grade School, and they moved to Columbia where he completed his law degree. A job relocated the couple to Kansas City where they had two daughters. Jimmie, a jet pilot in the Korean Conflict, was killed on his first mission March 2, 1952. Several years later, another very special man, Ralph Keith, whom she had grown up with at church in Kansas City, came back into her life. Mildred married Ralph November 20, 1954; they welcomed a third daughter, and then enjoyed almost 44 years together as a family. Two years later, in Millie’s words, “God surprised me with another wonderful man”. She married Dick Nibeck, whose family had been close with the Peuter family before Jimmie was killed 48 years before. Dick and Millie enjoyed life together until his passing July 2, 2003.

The bravest people of all are those who go on living and loving every day they live. Mildred’s faith in a “God that is able”, is what she says got her through the happy and sad times. Her tenacious heart would keep her loving others. She was a true shepherd, having a pastor’s heart and a secretary’s administrative skills. Mildred led by example; if you see a need, you take action.

We have so much to celebrate in the life of Mildred. We will miss her calm strength and loving heart.

Mildred is now in heaven joining her parents, Jimmie Peuter, Ralph Keith, Dick Nibeck, and grandson Erik Schmidt. She leaves behind Kit Schmidt (Ed), Cindy Marden (Steve), Shelley Hickman (David), Betsy Nibeck Gay (Roy), Barbara Nibeck Tichelbaut (Ken), Diane Nibeck Smith (Tim), 17 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Point Baptist Church, 10415 Chestnut Dr. KCMO 64137.

Visitation 12:30PM, service 1:30PM, Saturday, April 6 at Park Lawn, 8251 Hillcrest Rd.; entombment in Memorial Park Cemetery.