Mildred "Millie" Marie (Detroy) Roeder Esparza

Mildred "Millie" Marie (Detroy) Roeder Esparza, 87, formerly of Evansville, passed away in Castle Rock, Colorado after a short illness on Monday, January 5, 2015. She was born in 1927 to Oscar and Louise Mayer Detroy. She attended high school during World War II at F. J. Reitz High School and served as one of the first female drummers in the F. J. Reitz High School Marching Band. She was a member of the 1945 graduating class.

Millie was fortunate to have two great loves in her life. First, she was married to Robert Carl Roeder, Sr. until he passed away in 1956. With Robert she had Robert Roeder (Mary) of Indianapolis, IN, Janice Johnsen (Charles) of Castle Rock, CO, and Richard Roeder (Nancy) of Littleton, CO. In 1967, she met Julio "Papa Joe" Joseph Esparza at a dance. He asked her to dance to Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night" and she lost her heart again. In June 1968, they married and had Julia Esparza (Michael Hackett) of Shreveport, LA.

With her marriage to Papa Joe she was fortunate to inherit wonderful step-children. She looked at Emanuel (Pamela), Thomas (Martha), Joseph (Maureen), Louis (Gayle), Anthony (Brenda), Emily, and John Esparza as her own children and welcomed the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. She wept with Papa Joe when his daughter, Connie, passed away in 1972. She was heartbroken again when Papa Joe passed away in 1999.

She greatly enjoyed her own three grandchildren. She loved hearing about the many accomplishments of Robert and Mary’s daughter, Gretchen Holquist (Corey) of Mendham, NJ, Robert and Mary’s son, Jeffrey Roeder (Ramie) of Indianapolis, IN, and Julia and Michael’s son, Joseph Hackett of Shreveport, LA. She also loved the pictures and stories of her great-grandchildren Jeremy, Ryan, and Michelle Holquist, and Dagny and Carter Roeder.

Originally a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, she became a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church and then later was a founding member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Her church service between Emanuel and Shepherd of the Hills included teaching Sunday school for over 40 years, serving as secretary at both churches, singing in the choir for over 20 years, and serving as treasurer for the Shepherd of the Hills Preschool for many years. She loved hearing the children sing, play solos on their instruments, and present plays. For over 20 years, even after leaving Evansville, Millie sent each Shepherd of the Hills member's a birthday card annually. After moving to Castle Rock, CO she attended Emmaus Anglican Church where her son-in-law, Fr. Charles Johnsen III, is a priest. Millie’s strong faith was an example to many people and she had no fears of her future in God’s hands.

Millie had a great love of music and was fortunate to be able to see her all-time idol, Frank Sinatra, live in concert. In addition, she loved the news, was fascinated with weather, and loved debating politics with anyone who would put up an argument. She loved reading and gained comfort from completing her devotionals daily. She loved her television shows and it wasn’t worth calling during the news or NCIS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Louis Mayer Detroy; sisters, Pauline Reutter, Helen Parker, and Dorothy Kuhlenschmidt; brother, Oscar Paul Detroy; husbands, Robert C. Roeder, Sr. and Julio “Papa Joe” Joseph Esparza; and step-daughter, Connie Esparza.

Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3600 Oak Hill Road, with burial in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may visit Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Alexander West Chapel, 2100 West Illinois Street.

In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3600 Oak Hill Road, Evansville, IN 47711. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.