Florence J. (Otte) Millard

Florence passed away on December 20, 2020, at the Spooner Memorial Hospital at the age of 101 years.  The daughter of William and Anna (Wille) Otte.  She was born and raised in Randolph, MN.  She worked in the domestic field in St. Paul and Rochester are until her marriage to Harold Millard.  They remained in the Randolph area living and working until they moved to the Baker Farm east of Spooner where they farmed, raised white face cattle and enjoyed their horses with many friends on outings.  Harold’s brother, Lannie then added a wonderful addition to the family at the age of 3 years.  During their years at the Baker Farm, they were members of the Anah Church, Farmer’s Union, Heart of the North Saddle Club, and active in the 4-H Club.

In 1956 they moved off the farm and purchased the “Wheel Inn” a Root Beer Stand in Spooner.  They soon added a Golf Driving Range, Go-Kart Track and a Mobile Home Park.  In 1979, they sold the business and built a home just north of Spooner.  They were active members of the United Methodist Church and charter members of the Rolling Hills Snowmobile Club.  Harold passed away suddenly on August 1, 1985, after 47 years of marriage.

Florence sold their home and resided in Spooner for the next few years.  She then traveled to many states visiting family and friends, adding a trip to Germany and cruising with her sister.  In 1991, at the age of 71, she started traveling to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky and continued for many years as a volunteer giving her time, and faith, to a place she dearly loved.  She was also a member of the Degree of Honor, worked with the Hospice Program, Happy Club, and received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the State of Wisconsin.  Her most avid accomplishments were the many quilts she made for her family, which were numerous!  Starting when they were babies and continuing throughout many of their weddings.  She also loved her time spent with the Quilters Club at the United Methodist Church making quilts for anyone in need.  Later she moved into a cabin on Dunn Lake and spent many years there before residing at the Hilltop Apartments in Spooner.  We truly believe she kept herself very busy and involved until she could be with Harold again.

We are very thankful that she instilled in us the importance of family time, a strong work ethic, community involvement, and the connection with the church and Christian responsibilities.

She is preceded in death by her husband Harold, brother-in-law Lannie, four brothers and six sisters.  She is survived by her son Lester (Judie) Millard, and their children, Les (Shari) Millard, Jeff (Bev) Millard, Lyn Millard, Gregg (Ally) Millard, Lee Millard, and Lori (Gary) Cunningham.  Daughter, Vicki (Jerry) Peterson, and their children; Suzette (Mark) Jordan, Colette (John) Montgomery, and Evette Gruber.  Daughter, Barb (Rick) Anderson, and their children, Nate (Val) Anderson, Jay (Shannon) Anderson, and Richelle (Jeff) Hanson.  A total of 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 33 great-great-grandchildren.  Also, one sister, Odell Peterson, two sisters-in-law, Mable Mathiesen and Wilma Turnbull, and many nieces and nephews.

Florence’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church, 312 Elm Street in Spooner, WI.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the church.

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