Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/20/2003

Mildred M. Brothers

June 24, 1916 - Jan. 18, 2003

Mildred M. Brothers, 86, of Healthwin Specialized Care Facility, formerly of North Brookfield Street, passed away at 10:35 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003, in the care facility.

Mrs. Brothers was born on June 24, 1916, in South Bend, Ind., to Fred and Rose (Steinkohl) Kagel. She was self-employed as a hair stylist, and was also a site director, serving noontime meals for Real Services.

On Nov. 25, 1950, as Mildred M. Kagel, she married Walter B. Brothers, who preceded her in death on Jan. 20, 1990. Surviving are her children, Millie Bortone, Mary Niedbalski and Joseph (Maria) Brothers, all of South Bend; her two stepsons, Don (Winnie) Brothers of Mishawaka, Ind., and Gary (Alvina) Brothers of Virginia; her six grandchildren, Christopher (Sarah) and Michael Bortone, Bethany and Ryan "Duke" Niedbalski, Allen and Steven Brothers; her great-grandchildren, Annalise Hernandez and Tyler Bortone; his sister, Marie (John) Steinhofer of South Bend; her brother, Fred (Katherine) Kagel of South Bend and by her brother-in-law, Francis Giel of Donaldson, Ind.

Preceding her in death were her sister, Theresa Giel and her son-in-law, Jim Niedbalski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, in Holy Cross Church. Those who wish to attend the funeral mass should meet at Holy Cross Church on Tuesday morning. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a family rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m.

Mrs. Brothers was a member of Holy Cross Parish and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary. She was an avid bingo player and loved animals, especially cats and birds. She enjoyed feeding stray cats and always fed bread scraps to the birds. "She was a kind and generous lady, always willing to help. She loved life and her family especially her grandchildren."