For 23 years, whenever the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Flathead County has needed a likely candidate, it has turned to one of its most stalwart.

Mildred Nielsen, 97, has devoted 18,444.4 hours to the RSVP program since she first offered her help in 1991.

“I’ve been crocheting ever since I joined the program,” she said. “I started doing it to keep active, to keep my hands and mind going.”

Nielsen, a resident of Kalispell’s Heritage Place, grew up in Montana and moved to Columbia Falls with her husband in 1951.

During the flood of 1964, her house was inundated with water so they moved to Kalispell, where she has been ever since.

As a volunteer, Nielsen has been a crocheting machine, creating hundreds of mittens, hats, potholders and other yarn masterpieces to go to local charities.

Although a recent arm injury has kept her from making more, she hopes to be healed and ready to go soon.

“I haven’t been crocheting for a few weeks,” Nielsen said. “But I’m going to here shortly.”

Although not as quick as she used to be, she said she can finish a blanket in 40 hours and smaller pieces in much less time.

Her volunteer hours have averaged more than 800 hours a year and more than 66 hours a month for 23 years.

Tony Brockman, project coordinator for the RSVP of Flathead County, said her efforts have supported causes like WinterReadyMontana, an organization that gives warm clothes to children who might otherwise go without.

Nielsen has volunteered at Immanuel Lutheran Home as well. She had five children and currently has 11 grandchildren.