Mildred Elaine Berner, 98
Mildred Elaine Berner, 98, passed away peacefully Aug. 17, 2017
Mildred was born July 23, 1919, in Kalispell to Lester and Pearl Rhodes. She was raised on the family homestead in Rhodes Draw and attended elementary school at Bald Rock School until the third grade when her family moved to Gateway, which is now under Lake Koocanusa. Mildred attended Lincoln County High School in Eureka until her junior year in high school at which time the school burned down, and her family moved back to Kalispell where she graduated from Flathead County High School with the Class of 1937.
She met Homer Berner at a dance in West Valley in the spring of 1939. They married on Nov. 30, 1940, and spent the next 30 years in the West Valley farming and also owning Lost Creek Lumber Company. Mildred enjoyed being a farmer’s wife and taking care of her family. They enjoyed those years in West Valley with many lifelong friends and family alike. Their only child, a daughter Patricia, was born in 1942.
In 1961 Mildred and Homer moved to Eureka and bought the Eureka Tavern, running it until 1969. Mildred often shared stories and pictures of “the bar days.” They moved back to Kalispell after selling the bar and retired. They enjoyed many years of traveling, often spending the winters in Arizona.
Mildred was a kind, generous and spunky woman who loved her family very much. She was always up to date on what her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing and was incredibly proud of each of them. She never wanted you to leave her home empty handed and always insisted that you take something, whether it be a cookie or a piece of candy, she always wanted to send you off with something. Mildred lived a long, good life and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her husband Homer, her brother George Rhodes, and her son-in-law Dale Holder.
Mildred is survived by her daughter, Patricia Holder, of Kalispell; as well as her grandchildren, Brent and wife Carrie Holder of Eureka and their children Tayler and Ryan, Mitch and wife Amber Holder and their children Alex and Logan of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and Willa and her husband Jason Manger and their children Rielly and Abi of Kalispell.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor Mildred the family suggests contributions be made to Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 8384, Kalispell, MT 59904.This organization supports homeless teens throughout the Flathead Valley.
Mildred’s family would like to thank Laura, Rene and Sonja as well as her sweet friend Marilyn at Quality of Life for their loving care and companionship over the last year.
Per Mildred’s request no services will be held.
To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.