Mildred 'Millie' B. Packard, 86
Mildred "Millie" B. Packard, born April 24, 1923 to John and Olga Sunde at Readlyn, Saskatchewan, passed away on Aug. 26, 2006, in St. Peter's Hospital at Helena, surrounded by her children.
The second youngest of eight children, Millie graduated from Flathead County High School at Kalispell, in 1941, and was wed to John Basil Burns of Alexander, N.D., in October of that year. During the Second World War they resided at Kalispell, Prineville, Ore., and Helena. After the war John and Millie moved to Sidney, where they raised their four children, Linda Rae, Tana Jean, Bonnie Lee and Randy Scott. John passed away May 9, 1971.
In April 1973, Millie was wed to Russell E. Packard of Sidney, where they resided until 1979 when they moved to Helena. Millie and Rusty enjoyed attending local church activities, traveling (with frequent stops for pie) and dining with their many friends and family. Rusty passed away on May 26, 2006.
Family gatherings, where Millie shared many memories and stories that always included a Norwegian flavor and much humor, were extremely important to her. Millie was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her passion for her family took her to many weddings, births, confirmations, sporting events, school functions and graduations as far away as West Berlin, Germany. Millie was a loving mother, wife and homemaker, who took these responsibilities very seriously. This was evident to all who visited her home and had the privilege of sleeping on ironed sheets, and dining on home-cooked meals. Her heart and home were always open to her family and friends whose company she thoroughly enjoyed (and did we mention her favorite color was blue).
When not busy with household chores, Millie enjoyed playing cards. She started enlisting future card players among her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at very young ages.
Millie was an active member in the Methodist church, helping with harvest dinners, fair booths and Valentine banquets, providing countless chocolate sheet cakes, pies and gallons of gravy.
Millie was preceded in death by her parents; four bothers; three sisters; and husbands, John B. Burns and Russell E. Packard.
She is survived by daughters, Linda and Pete Carson of Bigfork, Tana Streeter of Republic, Wash., and Bonnie and Tom Campbell of Walla Walla, Wash.; son Randy and Robin Burns of Bigfork; and stepson, Randy Packard of Billings: eight grandchildren, and nine great-grand children; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends.
Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Covenant United Methodist Church, 2330 Broadway, Helena.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Covenant United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Retz Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.