Mildred "Millie" Cudney

A PATHWAY OF MEMORIES, “In a nutshell”.

My thanks for those memories I shared with you.

Making memories for me began in Grand Rapids Mi., with parents and an older sister, Evelyn, who always gave me unconditional love. I was a spunky “Tom boy”, full of energy. Those early years with kick the can, races, and bikes were the carefree days. It was Grade School and also Sunday Church, both morning and night, with Endeavor at 3:30. It was then I deeply took inside the true meaning of God as my Creator and sustainer in life.

The Grade School Group gathered around as we went on to Central High School, many of whom I met again at reunions. Having classmates over to play ping pong or dance was part of it. It was a whirlwind of good times. I grabbed at every opportunity that came my way. There were occasions when I felt insecure, but my dad advised me, “When you feel insecure, put your shoulders back and strut.” I did it and it was fast paced, and that became my lifetime speed. I’ll bet you know that speed!

G.R.J.C. meant new friends. Lynne and I (Mutt and Jeff) shared a tall skinny locker. Guess what? She had the top and I had the bottom. She became my Draper Hall dorm mate at Western. Summertime in Grand Haven was not to be missed. J.C. was where I met Milt. It was the Sorority and school dances, Milt playing basketball and baseball, dating and crazy times with the girls. Just a great mixture, and all the time I was blessed to have a solid base---Home.

W.M.U. was dorm life and studies. The Johnny Ray song, “Cry” blasting in the hallways, was part of life with a bunch of girls, each one carving out their future. Going back and forth to G.R. on the old highway, wondering later “Where was that nice U.S. 131 when we’re hitting the road?” Hal Stacy, Milt’s roommate at WMU, and Jackie became our longtime friends and traveling buddies, along with many other couples. Teaching was my dream, and graduating as a teacher was great, making all the sacrificing my parents did worthwhile.

With Milt in the army after graduation, I started my 5 years of teaching in grades K through 2. I loved it! Those little children enriched my life. After 2 years, Milt came home from Korea, and we were married 5 days later. He had no chance to reconsider. Lucky for me, he was a “Keeper”. His family took me in as a true member of their clan. I felt privileged to be one of them.

Our first year of marriage was in Ann Arbor, with the fire of love burning bright. Milt got his master’s degree while I taught school. Back again in GR, Milt got a job as a builder, took classes on home building, and taught at Union High School, while I also taught. He built our home with me as Head Sweeper-Upper and was about to give birth to our first son Tyren. My teaching days ended. We got the hang of this baby thing and along came Kevan. Then it was 2 years at Ohio State, alternating the rental of our home and apartment, Milt getting a Doctorate and me pregnant with Kurt. We packed all 5 of us in a VW Bug. Work??? What was that? We had a ton of fun with a bunch of new people in the married housing units all struggling together.

Then along came another one of our very special “Cudney Boys”, Cameron. It was off to Kalamazoo and WMU. While living in a rented house, and Milt counseling at WMU, Milt built another home for us. We have very “Special Neighbors” who remained with us, always adding spice to our life. As the boys grew up so did our group of friends, and we loved them all!!!

True sadness hit us hard, when Kevan was diagnosed with diabetes, at age 6. Control of the disease is easier today, but we did our best. As in all families, school, sporting events, holidays, etc. kept us hopping. At one time we had 4 boys in 4 schools. I really had 5 boys because what the kids didn’t think of to do, Milt did! There were water slides, an ice pond, bikes of all kinds, bow and arrows, truck inner tubes to slide on, and even an old mail truck. If you’ve had a family, you know the scene. We had a few troubles along the way but somehow with the Grace of God we managed. With Cam in Junior High, I began work in Continuing Education at WMU. Wonderful, supportive friends touched my life with joy.

Our boys managed to “Fly the Coup” and etch out a way of life for themselves. Ty is an attorney, Kevan began work as a Dispatch Operator, Kurt apprenticed into being a skilled workman and Cam has his MA degree as a Social Worker.

The last three years of Kev’s life became a nightmare for all of us. We moved from our home to a Condo for easier access. He went blind, had 25 surgeries, his leg amputated twice, lost a kidney, but an infection robbed him of that. Born on his Grandma Verhey’s birthday, he died in 1990 at the age of 31, with never a complaint! We all learned from him that life is a gift to cherish. He said, “You have to play with the hand you’re dealt, because that’s all you’ve got.”

During Milt’s counseling career he had students who got “Stuck” in life with depressions, so we became determined to get back to living again. Milt retired in 1991, for 1 year, while I continued to work at WMU. We made plans for retirement, Ty and Marcia married and we welcomed our first Grand Daughter, Kiersten. Then, on Dec. 7, 1992, after a very brief illness we were told was a rare virus, Milt died, at the age of 62, of Acute Leukemia.

With the drive not to get “Stuck,” I continued my journey as a widow alongside my cat Fritter Frat. There was joy in store for me. Milt and Kev missed it all. Joy became our only grandson, Skylar, Ty and Marcia’s son. Then came Valerie, Cam’s wife, and their girls, Kate and Allie. They “Burst my Buttons” with pride. It was a joyous expansion. With family, volunteer work, and several Very Special Gals who added newness to my life in countless ways, I was truly blessed.

Looking back, I realized that my journey WAS NOT ALL about me. It was about my total family and every one of my friends who gathered around me on my journey.

Mildred “Millie” Cudney, Age 94, died on November 20, 2024. She was born November 16, 1930, in Grand Rapids to William and Wilhelmena (Happe) Verhey. Millie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Milton, son Kevan, and sister Evelyn Lindhout. Surviving are her children: Tyren (Marcia), Kurt, and Cameron; grandchildren: Kiersten, Skylar, Kate, and Allie.

Please join us at a Life Story Service 11 AM on Monday, November 25 at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story center where food, drink, and stories can be shared. Burial at Mt. Ever Rest.

Celebrate Millie’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Diabetes Association.