Betty Louise Mills

Betty Louise Mills (82) passed away at her Bonners Ferry Home on July 5, 2014. Services will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 10:00am in the United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Betty Louise Sheldon Mills was born September 16, 1931 to Allan Dyer Sheldon & Louise Gertrude Kauffman Sheldon at Sterling Hospital in Sterling, CO. Betty’s birth preceded those of her three younger siblings: Gerald, Anita, and Dennis. Betty was raised in Bonners Ferry, ID, attending the North Side School, and Bonners Ferry High School (class of 1950). Betty loved school and was active in 4-H, Job’s Daughters, Band, Badgerettes, and many school productions & committees. Betty then went on to attend St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing (1950-1953), where she met her husband Thomas Warren Mills. Betty said “he was smart and loving and good looking.” Betty and Tom were married January 1, 1953. In November of that year, Betty & Tom’s firstborn daughter Margaret entered the world – 2 months after Betty finished Nurses Training. In January 1955, Betty & Tom’s second daughter Joyce was born, followed by Allan (May 1957), Steven (February 1962), and Thomas (August 1966). Betty continued working various positions at various hospitals, including teaching positions, while she raised her children, and even returned for more school at North Idaho College to receive an Associate’s degree of Science. Also notable from her career, Betty was a part of the community health board that established the Kaniksu Health Clinic. Betty remained an active member of the Bonners Ferry community during her retirement. She was a prominent member and treasurer of the United Methodist Church and was on the “Friends of Head Start” board which brought the new Head Start facility to Boundary County. Betty volunteered with “Friends of the Restorium,” was a 4-H leader in many disciplines, supported the American Legion Auxiliary, and was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Betty loved to work on handicrafts while at home, including crocheting, sewing, cooking, providing handmade gifts, or organizing events. She put her whole soul into everything she did. Betty lived independently until her unexpected but peaceful passing in her home on the morning of July 5, 2014. She was 82 years old. Betty spent the evening prior enjoying a 4th of July barbecue with friends and family that included her daughter , Margaret, three of her grandchildren, and four of her great grandchildren. Betty worked hard to provide for her family and was a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Betty’s roots in the community were deep and wide and her life will be celebrated by all who knew her. Betty was predeceased by her husband Thomas Mills, her parents Allan & Louise Sheldon and her brother Gerald Sheldon. Betty is survived by her siblings Anita and Dennis, her five children: Margaret, Joyce, Allan, Steve, and Tom, her nine grandchildren, and her eight great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to sign Betty’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.