Editor’s note: Rural Fairmont resident Mildred Brodt passed away Monday at the age of 101. Her extraordinary life is recounted below by Lenny Tvedten, director of the Martin County Historical Society. Her full obituary appears on page 5 of today’s Sentinel.

FAIRMONT

It has been said that “life is a big canvas, so throw all the paint on it that you can.” It would seem that Mildred Brodt, a long-time Martin County resident, accomplished that through her many experiences and travels.

It began as she grew up on a farm near Dorchester, Nebraska. Her education was in a one-room K-8 school in Salina County, Nebraska. After graduating from Dorchester High School, she continued her education at the University of Nebraska. After college, she taught in a one-room rural school in Nebraska.

In 1943, Brodt enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps. She took her basic training in Missouri, then worked in payroll. While serving in the military, her travels and experiences included sea duty, New Guinea, Japan and Manila, attending war crimes trials, climbing Mt. Fuji, as well as seeing much of the United States.

After completing her active duty in the military, she returned to the University of Nebraska to study business administration. While there, she was the only woman to attend classes in the program, and although discouraged by the dean, she was determined and proved him wrong by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

She then worked as an office manager in Lincoln, Nebraska, and then moved to New York. This was later followed by a move to Washington, D.C. While in Washington, she worked at the National Security Agency and was the only woman in personnel administration.

It was also in Washington where she met her future husband, Warren Brodt.

In 1957, she moved to Minnesota, working as a training director for Norwest National Bank and as an office manager for Knox Reeves Advertising. However, she had a desire to take on another challenge. Consequently, in 1963, she returned to Nebraska and entered the University of Nebraska Teachers College. She graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1964. She would later earn a master’s degree in special education from Mankato State College.

In August 1965, Mildred married Warren Brodt, whom she had met while in Washington, D.C. They were married in Lincoln, Nebraska, and lived on the Brodt farm in Martin County that had been in the family since 1889.

Mildred then continued her career in education. She taught special education in Fairmont and Sherburn. She was honored by being named teacher of the year by the MCSEC in 1981.

One of Mildred’s favorite interests was travel. During her life, she saw virtually all corners of the globe. In 1984, she toured Europe; 2002, Japan; 2003, Europe again; 2004, Australia and New Guinea; 2005, Europe; 2006, Egypt; 2007, China; and 2008, Alaska.

Mildred was active and civic-minded all of her life. She was a member of AAUW, served as president of the Martin County Historical Society, was a member of the Rural Sunshine Club, served as president of ARC, was involved with STEP Inc. and was a member of First Congregational Church UCC. In many instances, she was the first woman to serve on a board or to be elected president.

It is undeniable that during her lifetime, Mildred did not, so to speak, let any grass grow under her feet. She was active and progressive in her professional life in business, education and volunteerism. She served as a role model for women during an era in which she forged ahead into positions held mostly by men, both in professional endeavors and volunteer work alike.

It has been said that life is the sum of your choices. It would seem that the sum of Mildred’s life was substantial. Her accomplishments were many and her philanthropic endeavors proved beneficial to many local nonprofit organizations. Her life was truly an exciting journey.