Miled Johnson Obituary (1923

Mildred 'Millie' Louise Johnson, longtime member of the Kittitas Valley, passed away suddenly March 20 in Ellensburg, WA. Millie was born March 5th, 1923 in Seattle, Washington to Edward and Jennie Teslow. She was 12 at the time her family moved to Grand Coulee, WA, where her father found work at Grand Coulee. In 1942 Millie graduated from Grand Coulee High School and shortly thereafter began work for the Bureau of Reclamation. It was there, while attending a USO dance for returning war veterans, she met her love and her future husband Don Johnson. Don and Millie were wed February 22nd, 1946 in the town where they shared their first dance. An adventurous and happy young couple they moved to Ellensburg in 1953 with their first born son to begin building a family of four boys, (Don, Richard, Kevin and Craig). After quitting his job at a local Studebaker dealership, Don and Millie established D&M Motors in 1963. Millie was a strong and positive force in Don's life. They weren't just husband and wife, but partners in every sense of the word. Sharing and celebrating 52 adventurous years of marriage prior to the loss of Don in 1998. As a family they worked hard and enjoyed their time when they could relax. They enjoyed anything outdoors, boating, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, motorcycling and mushroom and huckleberry picking. Her huckleberry pie will be remembered by many. Don't think Millie was only adventurous in her youth, she took up snow skiing at age 50 and hiked 14 miles into the Enchantments and to the top of Little Annapurna at age 68 with her two youngest sons. Millie was the glue that held everything together. She was an amazing mother, dedicated wife and glorious friend. She loved to cook, serve, and host get-togethers with family and friends. Those close to Millie will truly miss her gracious nature, especially 'the annual Christmas party' she enjoyed hosting. After the boys had all left home Don and Millie began traveling. Their love for adventure took them to several foreign countries with many visits to Mexico and Central America. One such trip somewhere in the Yucatan, Millie asked Don, 'Why are we taking this road' Don just replied, 'Because we have never been down this road before.' Probably not something most of us would be willing to try today, but it was their spirt and partnership that bonded them so well. She gave of her time to many community organizations, Ophelia, The Jaycees and Beta Sigma Phi (of which she was a member for 47 years), to name a few. Through hardships and challenges Millie stood by Don and D&M motors. Even after his passing, she stood strong and with her boys managed to keep D&M striving forward. Millie at age 92 was still driving to work and managing the books for the business, looking over every receipt. In the later years of her life Millie developed a strong and special friendship with Ray Poulsen. They too were traveling companions and shared many wonderful trips to Hawaii, Canada and Oregon. Even in her last moments Ray was there with her son Craig as she took her final breath. Millie is survived by her four boys Don Jr. (Robin), Richard, Kevin (Patti) and Craig (Karen); sisters Gladys and Elsie; brother, Cliff; grandchildren April, Blaine, Christoper, Thomas, Ryan, Laura and Sara; great-grandchildren Ian, Devin, Makaila, Grace, Eden and Bodie, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Verna Waters and brother, Bob Teslow. The family is having a private Graveside interment with a celebration of life scheduled sometime in July. Donations can be made to the Union Gospel Mission, 13 North First Street, Yakima, Wa 98901