Mildred F. Belser

Mildred F. “Mimi” Belser, 104 of Bettendorf, formerly of Davenport passed away Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the Iowa Masonic Home in Bettendorf, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held, Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 11:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Davenport. Visitation will be Monday, January 7, 2013 from 4-7 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm, at the Runge Mortuary. Burial will be in Lee Summit Cemetery in Lee Summit, Missouri. Memorials may be made to the Bill Belser Memorial Fund for the Friendly House. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com

Mimi was born April 10, 1908 in Pleasant Hill, MO; the daughter of Charles and May (Osborn) Powell. She was united in marriage to William Charles Belser on August 4, 1928 in Missouri; he preceded her in death in 1971. She attended Lone Star College where she earned her business degree. She went to work as a bookkeeper at Western Auto. In 1940, Bill and Mimi moved to Davenport, IA. Together they had one child, James (Jim) Morris Belser who was born on November 23, 1944. She, alongside her husband, worked at the Friendly House in Davenport devoting their lives to helping others. She retired from the Friendly House in May 1994 at the age of 86. She lived on her own until 2005 (age 96) then moved to the Iowa Masonic Village Nursing Home in Bettendorf, IA, where she lived the remainder of her life.

Mimi always had a passion for ceramics; so much of her time was spent teaching children the art during her Friendly House years. She also LOVED to dance; having taken lessons through Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio for over twenty years. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. She was a loving and spirited grandmother and someone who will be treasured in our hearts forever.

Those left to honor her memory include her grandchildren: Chris (Lisa) Belser, Port Byron, IL; David Belser, Port Byron, IL; great grandchildren: Krysta, Hunter, Brittany, Gage and Kailyn. She was preceded in death by her son, James Morris; siblings: Dorothy, Bessie, Levi, Ruby, Hal and Elsie.