Obituary of Mildred A. Lovetinsky

Mildred A. “Millie” Lovetinsky, 97, of Iowa City died Monday, April 27, 2026, at Crestview Care Center in West Branch.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. (Sunday Parking ordinance will be in effect for streets around the church)   Visitation will be held 2 – 5 pm, Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Iowa City Hospice or to Mildred “Millie” Lovetinsky memorial fund. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Mildred Alice Walker was born May 4, 1928, east of Lone Tree, rural Johnson County, Iowa the daughter of Earl and Marie (Cline) Walker.  She attended schools in Lone Tree but later graduated from high school in May 1946 in Tiffin where she was on the girls basketball team.  Millie met her future husband, John D. “Jack” Lovetinsky at the Swisher Dance Hall.  The couple were married on January 14, 1947 in the rectory of  St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City.  The couple bought their first farm east of Iowa City in March of 1954 and she lived there until moving to Crestview Care Center in West Branch in October 2024.

Millie was a farmer’s wife and homemaker.  She cared for their children, her home, her husband, and supported the farm every way she could.  She always had a big garden, canning many of the vegetables and was known to be a good cook.  She enjoyed going to dances with Jack, their many vacations through the years, playing cards, puzzles and their numerous drives in the country. She was a member of  St. Mary’s Catholic Church , North Scott Social Circle and the Moose Lodge.

Her family includes her nine children, Gary Lovetinsky, Wayne Lovetinsky (Lorena), Nancy Rickerd (Dan), Joyce Bowie, Dale Lovetinsky (Lisa), Dennis Lovetinsky (Brenda), Melvin Lovetinsky, Marvin Lovetinsky, Cindy Lovetinsky (Chris Jones); 16 grandchildren, Jeffrey Lovetinsky (Gene Gregg), Kyle Lovetinsky (Amy), Brian Lovetinsky (Nicki), Katherine Wright (Derek), Russell Lovetinsky (Lynne), Roberta Schmidt, Jess Lovetinsky (Amanda), Christy Campbell (Mark), Kenny Emerson, Danny Bothell, Tom Bowie (Wendy), Jacqueline Gilstrap (Jason), Travis Lovetinsky, Courtney Lovetinsky, Taylor Jones and Ryan Jones; 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, many step grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Mary Jean Swenka.

Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Jack (deceased August 15, 2000); grandson, Richard M. Emerson; sister, Velma Hotz; brothers, Aaron, Orville, Loren and Ivan Walker; brother-in-law, Leo Hotz; sisters-in-law, Betty Walker and Nona Walker; and daughters-in-law, Diane Lovetinsky and Kathy Lovetinsky.