SPARTA – Mildred L. "Mid" Lessley, 98, of Sparta passed away at 10:35 PM, Sunday, December 15, 2019, at the Coulterville Rehab and Health Care Center.

Mildred was born on May 17, 1921 in Keokuk, Iowa to Leslie and Lucille (Goetsche) Othmer. She married Norris B. Lessley on December 23, 1945, in Keokuk, Iowa. He preceded her in death on March 1, 1999. She was also preceded in death by her brother; Leslie Othmer, Jr., and her sister; Dorothy Hatala.

Mildred graduated from Carthage College and prior to marriage worked as an executive secretary in Chicago. After moving to Sparta with her husband, she enjoyed a career as a fourth-grade teacher at Sparta Lincoln Grade School for twenty-one years. She was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta, the Delta Theta Tau Sorority, the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Twentieth Century Club and the Randolph County Retired Teachers Association.

She is survived by her sons; Norris B. (Charlene) Lessley, II, of Baldwin, and James V. (Shelley) Lessley, of Omaha, NE, her grandchildren; Laura (Rick) Heirigs, of North Platte, NE, Matthew (Becca) Lessley, of Virginia Beach, VA, Carrie (Graham) Frank, of Colorado Springs, CO, Brett (Amanda) Lessley, of Newton, IL, Todd (Vidi) Lessley, of Denver, CO, Marietta (Israel) Ruiz, of Newport, DE, 22 great grandchildren, and 8 nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, December 21, 2019, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sparta, Rev. Robert Miner officiating. Private burial be held at the Lessley Cemetery, Baldwin, due to limited parking. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church where friends may call from 10 AM to 1 PM. Memorials may be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, or the Coulterville Care Center Activity Fund. Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville is assisting the family with the arrangements.