Andrew Jacob Mills Obituary (2025)

Andrew (Andy) Jacob Mills walked into his Savior's arms Monday morning, October 14, 2025. Andy was born to Herman L. and Violet L. (Blanksma) Mills on February 10, 2025, in Chehalis Washington. His death came after a short battle with Leukemia. After graduating from Mossyrock High School, he attended CBC on a football scholarship. He then attended and graduated from Washington State University in 1968 and went to work for Mercer Ranches as a beef cattle herdsman. In 1970 he went to work for the Farmer's Home Administration as a loan officer and later an appraiser, retiring from this agency in November of 1994. He then set up his own office in Ellensburg as a self-employed real estate appraiser. He fully retired in 2009. Andy married Stephanie Rhodes, his high school sweetheart, in 1966 and they had two children, Jim and Robin. Andy moved his family to Kittitas County in 1976, where he lived the rest of his life. Andy made friends easily, both in his workplace and the community. He loved meeting new people, especially as a cook for Outfitter Steve Darwood, taking guests into the Pasayten Wilderness area, riding horseback 18 miles on his favorite horse, TUQ to the base camp. He was a long time member of the Washington Outfitters and Guides Association. He became best known for his skills in Dutch oven cooking, introducing that style of camp cooking to WOGA cooks. In a very short time, many of the camp cooks were using Dutch ovens. Andy, however, was the one who stacked them high. He also conducted several Dutch oven clinics, teaching many people the seasoning and care of the black pots, finishing with cooking a meal. These clinics then led to Andy writing four cookbooks featuring cooking with Dutch ovens Andy will be remembered for his easy manner, willingness to help others, and love of the high mountains. He is preceded in death by his father, Herman Mills, mother Violet Eppler, and cousin Everett Mills who shared many youthful adventures with Andy. He is survived by his wife Stephanie, son Jim (Leann), daughter Robin (Brad) Pettit, granddaughters Taylor and Terran Pettit, sister Nancy (Doug) Johnson and several nieces and nephews. Donations may be made to the Washington Outfitters and Guides Association, P.O. Box 1125, Twisp WA 98856, or The American Cancer Society A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 1pm in the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church, 1307 E. Third Avenue.