One Nation, Under God

Mildred "Millie" Gilbertson

Mildred "Millie" Gilbertson, formerly of Malta, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2017, at Westpark Village Retirement Center in Billings, Mont., where she had been living since December of 2008. Cremation took place under the care of Kirkwood Funeral Home in Malta and a private burial ceremony took place at the Malta Cemetery on July 8, 2017, with many of her family members present. Her death came just one month short of her 98th birthday ... she was fortunate to live a long, healthy and beautiful life.

Millie was born March 8, 1919, daughter of Oscar A. Erickson and Christine (Steigler) Erickson at the township of Fort Ransom, N.D. She grew up in a small town called Josephine (near Devil's Lake). Interestingly, she used the nickname "Josie" for years and was even used in her computer user name and/or password up until she was in her mid 90's.

She was a wonderful caring wife and partner to Ernie for 65 years, a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. She was an intelligent, professional, and talented lady throughout her long life. She was a very artistic, meticulous knitter, quilter, seamstress, painter (of oils, acrylics, and watercolors), and talented counted cross-stitcher and ceramicist (who won just about every award possible.) Throughout her life, she used the skills she acquired while attending and graduating from business school in Bismarck, N.D.

She and Ernie were married on October 16, 1943, following his discharge from the Army. They then moved to Bismarck, followed later by moves to Williston, Glasgow and finally to Malta. The move to Malta came during the 1949 year where they remained working and raising their five children. Ernie managing the MDU office and Millie working for the BLM.

After retirement, they owned and operated "Millie's Ceramics" for several years. Again, Millie's artistic and instructional talents shined (Ernie was the workhouse and not the talented painter but we humored him anyway).

Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie; son, Paul; daughters Janice and Nancy; and granddaughter Stacy. She is survived by sons Don (Dolly) of Hardin, Mont., and Neill (Louise) of Green Bay, Wis.; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

We would, as a family, like to extend a 'special thank you' to the staff at Westpark Village who loved and cared for her.

 

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