Mildred Adele (Major) Bell, 94, peacefully passed away from natural causes in the early hours of February 25, 2019 under the tender care of the excellent staff at Touchmark on Saddle Drive in Helena, Montana.
Mildred was born November 23, 1924 in Colfax, Washington. She was the only child born to Maude Virginia (Maurer) and Wayne William Major. Mildred graduated from Colfax High School in 1942 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Early Child Development from Washington State University in 1946. Shortly after earning her degree she went to work as a Secretary for the Medical Service Bureau for Veterans in Spokane, Washington where she was employed until 1948.
Mildred married Verle (Bud) Dennis Bell in Spokane, Washington on February 14, 1948 after Bud discharged from the U.S. Army. Bud was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad and his career took the couple to Plummer, ID where Mildred worked as a substitute teacher from 1949 until 1953. In 1953 they moved to Othello, WA where Mildred taught Sunday School and sorted onions and potatoes during the week for various producers until 1960. Their next stop was Great Falls, Montana where Mildred was employed as Secretary at the Collins School and a Teacher at Head Start until 1970. Mildred and Bud’s final destination together found them moving back to Spokane, Washington where Mildred worked for KeyTronic for 6 years. Mildred lost Bud to cancer on March 22, 1999 and moved to Helena, Montana in 2002 to be close to family.
A loving, giving, family historian, Mildred had a creative soul and loved sewing, painting, gardening, pottery, and making jewelry. She was involved in her communities as an active member of Rebekah’s Womens Club, Wilcox Grange, and Milwaukee Women’s Club. Mildred enjoyed making memories with family and friends at the family cabin at Priest Lake, ID.
Mildred was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, and son-in-law, Leon Lilletvedt. She is survived by her daughter, Janis Bell Lilletvedt, son Dennis (Kathy) Bell, granddaughter Joanne (Dave) Harrill, grandsons Eric (Teri) Lilletvedt, Kevin (Maggie) Bell, and Ryan (Rachelle) Lilletvedt and 10 great-grandchildren: Jessica (Colton) Harrill Lucus, J.D. (John David) Harrill, Andrew, Jarod and Kadi Lilletvedt, Matthew, Jake, and Tucker Bell, and Lexus and Jaden Lilletvedt.
A private family memorial service will be scheduled sometime during summer 2019. Mildred will be laid to rest in Colfax, Washington. In lieu of flowers or cards, memorials are suggested to the Lupus Foundation of America at 2121 K Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20037 (www.lupus.org), your local Humane Society, or St. Peters Hospice at 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 (www.sphealth.org).
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Mildred.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Jean Henderson says
Dear Family please accept my heartfelt Condolences for your recent loss. Please let Gods word the Bible Be a comfort for you in the coming days ahead. Isaiah 41:10-13,God tells us to not be afraid, for i am with you.Do not be anxious, for i am your God.I will fortify you.
Jean Henderson says
Dear Family please accept my heartfelt Condolences for your recent loss .Please let Gods word the Bible be of comfort to you in the coming days ahead John 3:16).
Carolyn Imeson says
My parents Dick and Violet Templeton were dear friends and distant relatives of your grandparents Wayne and Maude Major. Wilcox Grange members, hosted their 50th anniversary and I’m sure that your mother Mildred and family were there. I remember them fondly, especially Maude, talking of their daughter Mildred and her family. We share the Fincher family line. My great-grandmother Anna Mahala Fincher and Emeretta Fincher were sisters. I send you my heartfelt sympathy to your family.
Linda Bell Brison says
I was so sorry to learn, just recently, of losing Aunt Mildred. I remember my Mother, Virginia Bell, talking about Uncle Bud courting Mildred Major, and I attended their subsequent Spokane wedding. She was a beautiful, blooming bride. I also recall Janis’ birth. Aunt Mildred quickly became one of the respected and very family oriented members of the large Bell clan. I spoke with her periodically by phone after she moved to Helena. She was always full of news about her own family and had lots of questions about where and what the Bell clan was doing. Goodbye, Aunt Mildred; you will be long and sincerely missed.