Mildred A. Bulk

Mildred Arlene (Diederich) Bulk, 93, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, September 10, 2017.    

                Mildred was born January 30, 1924 in Greenleaf, KS, to Mathias and Mary (Pierott) Diederich.  She is the last surviving of eight siblings.  Following graduation from Greenleaf High in 1942, she taught the 1943-44 school term at Fox School, in the one-room school house she had attended.  She entered St. Mary School of nursing in Manhattan in the Cadet Nursing Program in 1944, graduating as a registered nurse in 1947.  After pausing to raise her family, Mildred returned to nursing, retiring from Stormont Vail Hospital in 1981.

                Mildred married Herbert W. Bulk on September 2, 1947.  Their union was blessed with 70 years together.    

                She is survived by her husband; six children, Martina Bulk (Greg Allen), Steven Bulk, David (Karen) Bulk, Carol (Don) Smith, Susan (Edward) Helbert, and Julie (Paul) Roberts; 13 grandchildren, Paul Allen, Mark Allen, Sarah (Jared) Jaynes, Amy (Paul) Miller, Justin Smith, Emily (Donald) Evans, Aaron (Annette) Roberts, Chris Roberts (Carrie Allen), Jordan Roberts (Crystal Owens), Fritz Helbert (Michelle Neis), Hannah Helbert; and nine great grandchildren. 

                Mildred and Herbert lived in Manhattan, Leavenworth and Seneca, KS prior to moving to Topeka in 1958.  Mildred devoted many hours in service to others.  Her many volunteer activities included hospice respite volunteer work through the Red Cross for Alzheimer’s patients, 14 years delivering Meals on Wheels, and blood pressure clinics with “HealthWise 55” at Stormont Vail.  Her deep faith is reflected in her volunteer work at Most Pure Heart of Mary church where she served as a communion minister for 15 years, and processed donation envelopes each Monday for 25 years, among many other activities.

                Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 14 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Mildred will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 13th  after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

             In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice or the Topeka Rescue Mission in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

     Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.