Wallace Milden

WALLACE MILDEN

Cedar Rapids

Wallace "Wally" Milden, 96, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Cottage Grove Place.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Sedlacek Room at Cottage Grove Place on Tuesday, April 11.

Wally was born July 31, 1920, in Cedar Rapids, the only child of Max and Dollie (Stusak) Mildenstein. He graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. As a young adult during World War II, he worked on the home front as an industrial engineer at Firestone Rubber in Akron, Ohio. While in Akron, he married his beloved wife, Betty Jean Frick, on Feb. 27, 1944. To this union, two sons were born.

After moving back to Cedar Rapids, Wally worked as a general contractor and vice president of operations for O.F. Paulson. He was a member of First Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and El Kahir Shrine for over 50 years. He also was a longtime member of the Elks Club, Elmcrest Country Club and Tuesday Noon Optimist Club.

Wally enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Betty. He enjoyed golf and gardening, as well as playing cards, especially bridge, with his younger son, who won all of his money.

In retirement, Wally enjoyed woodworking, creating table and chair sets, rocking horses, and Noah's Ark handcrafted sets for his grandchildren.

He is survived by his sons, James (Rosalie) Milden and Dr. Gary (Susie) Milden of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Matthew (Jessica) Milden of Loveland, Colo., Nathan Milden of Cedar Rapids, Dr. Katie Milden (Jon Schroeder) of Cedar Rapids and Molly Milden (fiance Dave Metz) of Denver, Colo.; and great-grandchildren, Elliott and Coretta Milden, and Hendrik Schroeder.

Wally was preceded in death by his wife in 2010 and his parents.

Memorials in Wally's name may be made to El Kahir Shrine.

Online condolences may be conveyed at www.cedarmemorial.com.