Mildred Harris

Mildred Harris, 93, "danced her way home" on Aug. 7, 2004.

She was born Mildred Ione Warner on Sept. 18, 1910, in Cass Lake, Minn., to Fred and Cora Warner. She moved to Whitefish with her family at the age of seven. She attended schools in Whitefish, Libby and Columbia Falls, where she graduated in 1930. That same year she married Leslie Harris, and in 1931 they had a son, Jacque.

While Les worked for the Great Northern Railroad, Mildred worked as a meat cutter at Safeway in Whitefish. In 1951, they moved to Eureka, where she opened Millie's Dress Shop. In 1955, they built the Point of Rocks Restaurant, where for the next 16 years she met many friends as chief cook, bottle washer, bartender and bouncer.

She loved playing cards, fishing, singing, bowling, picking huckleberries and dancing — as much and as often as possible. In 1972, she and Les moved back to Whitefish due to his illness. When he passed on later that year, Millie became active in service groups and seniors activities. She was a charter member of the Whitefish Golden Agers and worked tirelessly in the creation of the local center.

Well known for her not-so-good driving skills, she still delivered many Meals on Wheels throughout the years to those unable to get to town. She joined the Women of the Moose in 1974 and spent many hours working on and traveling to Lodge events during the next 25 years. In 1979 she was Cadet of Friendship, and she was Senior Regent for the 1989-1990 term. She was also active in the Hospital Guild, the Eagles, and a continuous member of the VFW Auxiliary since 1954.

In 1984, she received the Soroptimist Women Helping Women award for her work with the Whitefish Golden Agers, Meals on Wheels, Flathead Council on Aging, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the Hospital Guild. In 1988, she was honored as Flathead Senior Citizen of the Year.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie; her parents; three sisters; and two brothers.

She is survived by her loving son and daughter-in-law, Jacque and Willo Harris; grandson T.J. Harris; granddaughter Wanda Wooten and her husband, Joe; and great grandson Zac Wooten, all of Whitefish; great grandson Josh Petersen and his wife, Jaclyn, of Port Orchard, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews, including Evelyn Maddux, of Whitefish, and Earl Chase, of Troy.

Mildred was a strong-willed and independent lady throughout her 93 years. She could be as sweet as pie and could cuss up a storm, too. Most recently she made her home at the Riverside Senior Living Center in Whitefish, where she participated in bingo, cards and made many new friends.

We will miss you "Millie, Mom, Gram, Shorty," until next time.

Funeral services were held Aug. 11, 2004, at the Austin Funeral Home. Interment followed at the Whitefish Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be made in Mildred's name to the Stumptown Historical Society or to the Mooseheart.