Richard H. Mildenstein, 85

Published 3:15 pm Saturday, September 1, 2018

Richard H. Mildenstein, 85, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at Mountain View Hospital of complications associated with pneumonia. Mr. Mildenstein was born July 26, 1932, in Austin, Minnesota, the son of Gertrude and Harold Mildenstein.

Richard H. Mildenstein, 85

In 1970, he married Dorothy Elizabeth Zagorski in Dunkirk, New York. Together, they resided in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where she died in December 1978. He later was married to Kathleen Mae Ellison in Austin. She died in 2017.

He served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam, and 10 years at the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. His commendations included the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. In the 1970s, he was employed as a typesetter and proofreader at the Sierra County Sentinel newspaper in Truth or Consequences. He was later employed as a cross-country, tractor-trailer operator based in Austin prior to his retirement.

Known as Dick to his close friends and colleagues, Mr. Mildenstein exerted a blunt and exuberant quality throughout his long life that comprised his unique and unwavering character. He harbored a special appreciation for his country, his family, friends, and for classic country and western music.

Survivors include sister, Sharie (Mike) Saugen of Rochester, Minnesota; nieces, Aarah Saugen of Pine Island, Minnesota, and Alison (Eric) Saugen Smith of Rochester; stepchildren, Vickie Davis (Jim) of Austin, David Ostrander (Cindy) of Austin and Gary Ostrander (Shar) of Red Wing, Minnesota, Arlene Z. Woods (Bill) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cindy Jurczak of Youngstown, Ohio, Donna Sam (Norm) of Boardman, Ohio, Tim Zagorski (Roxanne) of Las Cruces and William “Mick” Zagorski of Fredonia, New York; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Patricia Mildenstein; sister, Nada Deyoung; and brothers, Robert and Rodney.

A graveside service with full military honors is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota.

Arrangements are by Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc. and Sierra Crematory, LLC.  For online memorial messages, please visit www.kirikosfamilyfuneralhome.com.