Obituary of Mildred Marie Villines

Mildred Marie Villines

December 21, 1931 – January 28, 2024

Mildred Marie [ Strohl ] Villines was born to Ernest E and Sylvia B [Robinson] Strohl on December 21, 1931 in Rose, Nebraska. Mildred was their second child, joining her older brother Ronnie.

Mom’s family lived in a sod home at the time of her birth. Shortly after she was born, they moved in to a home built by her grandfather Strohl. At a young age mom helped her brother Ronnie with some of the farm chores. She milked the family’s cow & took pride in taking care of her horse, Chief. She rode Chief to school, trusting him to get her to school & back, in the snowy cold winters. Mom went out in the very early morning before leaving for school to brush Chief before she saddled him.

Mom attended School in Nebraska until her family moved to Caldwell, ID her sophomore year where she attended Caldwell high school.

Mom met our father Steve Villines in Caldwell & they married on August 14^th 1950. They started their family with the birth of Connie in 1953, Renee in 1954, Sandy in 1956, Vicki in 1958, Brian in 1964 & Rodney in 1966. Mom loved us 6 children with all of her heart.

Mom worked outside the home some, but she was mostly a homemaker. Throughout the years mom took great pride in caring for her home & yard. At 90 years old she continued to irrigate her one-acre yard.

Mom was a talented baker. Her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls & her famous whacky cake with fudge icing topped the list. Mom asked everyone who came to her home if she could fix them something to eat. If they left hungry it was because of their own doing.

Mom loved nature. She enjoyed camping & fishing with the family & friends over the years.

The friend’s mom made at Homedale Senior Citizens & the activities were a large part of her later years. She attended dances weekly, exercised & often enjoyed meals at the center.

At the end of last summer mom’s physical health began to decline, but she was able to live at home with the help of her son, Rodney. She received her care at Owyhee Health & Rehabilitation in December when our family was no longer able to care for her at home. Mom loved the staff & caregivers. She treated them with kindness, appreciation & thankfulness & they provided her with the best of care. We children visited mom daily to love on her. Our family is blessed mom had wonderful care while at Owyhee Health.

Idaho Home & Hospice provided excellent care for mom, both at her home & Owyhee Health. Every member of the hospice team was special to mom & our family is thankful for their care & concern for her.

We were blessed that mom had her wit, humor & beautiful smile even up to the day she passed.  Mom was proceeded in death by her husband, Steve, in 2004 after 54 years of marriage, her daughter, Renee Murray, & great grandson Ryan Murray.

Surviving mom are her 5 children. Sons: Brian [Sharon] Villines, Rodney Villines. Daughters: Connie [Neil] Waterman, Sandy Packard, Vicki [Terry] Squibb. Grandchildren: Travis [Heather] Murray, Randy [Ranette] Murray, Stacy [Rhoeta] Murray, Gayle [Rick] Harrington, Mark [Danielle] Johnson, Rebecca [Chad] Jenkins, Kelly [Cameron] Jeans, Stacie Zenovich, Melissa Hansen, Shayna Davis, Josh [Wendy] Waterman, Hilary [Chuck] Hall & 31 great grandchildren.

Mom, may we live by your example of loving others, kindness & thankfulness & your advice “forgive & forget.” We have assurance you are now at peace in your heavenly home & we look forward to seeing you again. You will forever be in our hearts.