Mildred Katherine Johnson “Millie” went to be with our Loving Lord on June 20th, 2024 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Millie was born in Deer Lodge, MT, on March 10, 1962, to Pete and Bernie Senecal of Elliston, MT. She had eight siblings, a strong bond of four brothers and four sisters. She was so proud of her family and the people of Elliston, where she lived almost all her life. Everyone was like family, helping her during the difficult times of her health struggle. She was very grateful for them and the neighboring towns and for all their kindness. Not only did she love her family and the people in her town, but she also loved the beauty of the outdoors and felt blessed to live there. She was also grateful for her caring family at St. Peter’s cancer unit.
She attended school in Elliston and graduated from Powell County High School in 1980. In high school she was active in track, running the mile and two mile. She played basketball for four years. Her senior year she received a basketball scholarship from Dawson Community College in Glendive, MT. She loved playing as a starter both years for the Glendive Buccaneers. She graduated with an associate of arts degree and a one-year secretarial certificate. Then she moved to Helena and worked at several restaurants and the Federal Reserve Bank. While going out dancing, she met her loving soul mate, Edward Johnson. He was attending MSU in Bozeman and would come home to Helena on the weekends. After dating for four years they were married on October 1, 1988, at St. Mary’s in Helena. They were blessed with four wonderful children, Seth Edward in 1990, Shelby Elizabeth in 1992, Sutton Eric, in 1995, and Sawyer Eli in 1998. Both she and Edward were so proud of them.
Millie worked at the Federal Reserve Bank for nine years. She and Edward decided for Millie to be a stay-at-home mom and raise their children. She felt very fortunate to be able to do this. While she was raising her children, she also watched other children in Elliston. Other jobs Millie had outside of the home were a teacher’s aide, a school janitor, a cook at the Avon Family Cafe, and cleaning homes. She was a member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church and held CCD classes at her home for young children. She loved coaching the little kids’ Elliston basketball team for two years.
In recent years, Millie was overjoyed with becoming grandparents to her sweet grandchildren Mariella, Noah, Bernadette, Lucy, and baby grandson Francis Gerald who died shortly after birth. Millie cherished any time she could be with her kids, their spouses, and her beautiful grandchildren. She was so happy when she could travel to Arizona, Columbia Falls, Bozeman, and Troy to see all of them. Millie loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, camping, picnics, and all family events. She enjoyed making crafts and anything with art. Most of all, she loved being a wife and mom.
Millie was preceded in death by her parents Pete and Bernie Senecal, her brothers Tom and Rod Senecal, grandchild Francis Gerald Johnson, niece Katie Rennfield, in-laws Dick Stein, Ed Molyneaux, Don and Renee Johnson, Alice Lewis, Dora Lindner, nephews Zachary Fowler, baby Matthew Lindner, and numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.
Millie is survived by her husband Edward Johnson, her son Seth (Gianna), daughter Shelby (Josh) Forke, sons Sutton and Sawyer. Grandchildren Mariella, Noah, Lucy, and Bernadette. Her siblings Amy (Pat) Riehl, Mike Senecal, Ed (Terry) Senecal, Dodie (Mike) Rennfield, Suz (Cary) Focht, Annie (Jed) Evjene. In-laws Bitsy Stein, Margaret and Vern Miller, Carol Molyneaux, Tom Johnson, Cindy (Jimmy) Wollenberg, David (Brenda) Melva Fowler, Steve Johnson, Lora Johnson, Dick Lewis, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorials in Millie’s name can be made to St. Theodore Mission P.O. Box 786 Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or the Elliston Cemetery Club Elliston, MT 59728.
Recitation of the rosary will be held Thursday June, 27th at 6:00 pm at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am, June 28th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1700 Missoula Ave, Helena, MT. Burial will follow at the Elliston Cemetery with a reception at the Elliston gym. Condolences can be sent to www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00pm
Thursday June 27, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday June 28, 2024
Elliston Cemetery
Elliston, MT 59728
Funeral Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday June 28, 2024
Elliston Gym
Elliston, MT 59728
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00pm
Thursday June 27, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday June 28, 2024
Elliston Cemetery
Elliston, MT 59728
Funeral Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday June 28, 2024
Elliston Gym
Elliston, MT 59728
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Chryl l Poore says
A beautiful person with a sweet and gentle spirit. Millie always made you feel comfortable around her.
I’m so so sorry for your loss…may God’s strength enfold you and Millies smile and memories help console you. Be assured that Millie is whole, healed and rests in the presence and Glory of our Creator. She is not gone…she is but a whisper, a song, a memory away and her gift to her family is her life’s legacy of the love she gave to each one of you. You were blessed and so was she.
With much love…
Sandy Hash says
Millie was one of the sweetest, strongest people I’ve known. I worked with her at the Federal Reserve and then more recently we connected. I cherished my visits with her and loved when she would pull out photos of her kids and grandkids, quietly saying, I have some new pictures. She was very humble and selfless, putting everyone else’s needs before hers. I will miss her, but am comforted that she is no longer in pain. My prayers are with all of her family, she was a special soul.
April Davis is says
Millie is a special person that raised a beautiful family. I will always cherish sitting in her living room with my mom and looking through our wedding photos. I pray God’s love will provide comfort and peace during this difficult time.
April Davis says
Millie is a special person that raised a beautiful family. I will always cherish sitting in her living room with my mom and looking through our wedding photos. I pray God’s love will provide comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Jimmy and Cindy Wollenberg says
The people and animals of this earth have lost a truly special person. Millie didn’t have a bad bone in her body. How lucky Cindy and I were to have spent the last 40 yrs being around her at Holiday gatherings, summer BBQ’s, sledding on McDonald pass with hot chocolate at the house after and just stoping by to visit. Thank goodness memories stay with us forever, her smile and laugh will never fade. We will miss you but we will never, ever forget you.
To Ed, Seth, Shelby, Sutton and Sawyer our deepest condolances, there are no words to express our sorrow. Millie knows the family will surround you and help you through this difficult time. Finally you can rest in peace Millie.
Patty Schupp says
Millie was a skilled teacher’s aide who I was lucky enough to work with for several years at Elliston School. With her patience, empathy and intuition, Millie gave her students confidence and knowledge so they were able to thrive in their studies. Millie truly cared. I am sorry for your loss.
Duzzie Stolp says
Millie was truly an angel of God. God rest her soul and take comfort knowing she is in the arms of the Lord. You will be missed and remembered.