Mildred Bell passed away on April 10, 2016 at Windy Acres Assisted Living in Forest Lake, MN.
Mildred Evelyn Bakke Bell was born on December 9, 1917 to Sigurd and Alma (Sether) Bakke in Bantry, ND. In 1918 they moved to Upham, ND where her father had a blacksmith business. In 1926 after her father’s accidental death, she moved with her mother to Albert Lea, MN. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1935 and went to work at Wilson & Co. in Albert Lea where she became the secretary to the General Manager. In July, 1940 she married Clifford H. Bell. After his service in World War II they purchased a farm at Myrtle, MN. She continued to work at Wilson’s until 1952, the year of daughter Kathryn’s birth. In 1954 the family moved to Edson, Alberta, Canada. Millie and Cliff owned and operated Cashway Lumber, a lumber and builders supply for eight years. Millie also became mother to daughter, Janice.
In 1962 Millie and her family returned to Minnesota to a farm near Alden. She again worked at Wilson’s and as Secretary to the President of Streater Industries in Albert Lea. In 1976 the couple built their retirement home in the country near Finlayson, MN. Millie helped Cliff with his garden, canning and freezing the produce. Millie was a lifelong Lutheran, confirmed and married at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. She spent many years as a Sunday School teacher and most recently as Superintendent of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for several years at Peace Lutheran in Finlayson. Millie and Cliff were instrumental in establishing a Lutheran congregation in Edson, Alberta, during their years there. The first services were held in their living room and they later donated the lots upon which the church building was constructed.
Millie’s later years were spent in a duplex in Sandstone and then for l2 years at an assisted living apartment at Vindauga View, Chisago Lakes, MN. Her last year was spent at Windy Acres Assisted Living in Forest Lake. Her interests included her daughters and granddaughters, cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, flowers and gardening, Bible study and playing bingo.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2003, her parents, her daughter Janice and granddaughter Trina.
She is survived by her daughter Kitty Bell of North Branch, MN, her granddaughter Angela, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Peace Lutheran Church, Finlayson, MN on April 13, 2016. Burial was at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Finlayson.
Arrangements are with Methven Funeral Home of Sandstone, MN. www.methvenfuneralhome.com