Mildred 'Millie' Platt, 92
Mildred "Millie" Platt, 92, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born at home in Williams, Mont., near Valier on Sept. 19, 1915. She was one of eight children born to Anna (Hofland) and Anders Hammer, and was very proud of her Norwegian heritage.
She spent her childhood in Valier on the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. She loved life in her small town and enjoyed school, swimming, dancing, trips to Glacier Park and playing cards throughout her childhood and long life.
After graduating from Valier High School in 1933, Millie attended Western Montana College in Dillon and received her two-year degree in elementary education and a lifetime certificate to teach in Montana. She used that opportunity to teach in Brady, Dupuyer, Cut Bank and finally in Billings where she taught kindergarten in her home for 18 years before retiring.
In 1941, Millie married William "Bill" Platt in Cut Bank. Millie was teaching and Bill worked for Carter Oil Company in the refinery in Cut Bank, and they had met on a blind date.
In 1950, Carter Oil moved its facility to Superior, Wis., and Millie and Bill moved with it. Both missed their beloved Montana, and in 1952, Bill was hired as a refinery inspector with Universal Oil Company, and they moved to Billings, where they lived until Bill's retirement in 1980.
Millie retired from teaching a few years prior to Bill's retirement, and spent the years before his retirement traveling the world with him on assignment with his company. After Bill's retirement they moved to Lakeside.
Millie and Bill were married for 44 years until Bill's death in 1985. Following his death, Millie became a Hospice volunteer because of the support and comfort Hospice had provided the family throughout Bill's illness. Through her work with Hospice and the game of bridge, Millie met Walter Hensley and they were married in 1990. They had five fun-filled years together, dancing, playing bridge and socializing with friends until Walter's death in 1995.
Millie was also preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Olga Armstrong; Ernest Hammer and Isabelle Hammer; an infant sister; and a grandson, Andy Lindsey.
She is survived by her daughters, Holly Lindsey and husband Dan, Susan Gibson-Veyna and husband Peter, and Gretchen Platt and husband Charlie Bartberger; siblings, Andy Hammer of Missoula, and Shirley Elton and husband Claude of Arizona; her grandchildren, Chris Lindsey and wife Julie, Daniel Lindsey, Heather Copp and husband Mike, Rachel Johnson and husband John, Sarah Gibson and husband Ken Turley and Ben Bartberger; her great-grandchildren, Le'Arvay, Koda and Jake; many nieces and nephews; and by two special step-grandchildren, Lisa Veyna Lykins and Kevin Veyna.
Millie lived a long, full life with her large extended family and many, many friends. She kept her sharp wit and sense of humor to the end and will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Memorial services for Millie will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork.
The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Millie's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Millie's guest book.