Mildred S. Valach, 95, passed away peacefully at Prairie Community Hospital in Terry, Montana, on November 22, 2016.
Millie was born June 11, 1921 on the family farm near Tabor, South Dakota, the second child of Joseph and Marie (Vavruska) Sutera. She lived and worked on the farm with her parents and siblings. She attended a rural school at the age of five knowing no English as Czech was the native language. All students in the school were Czech and older students served as translators for the new students and teacher. She graduated from Tyndall High School with the honors of Homecoming Queen and Valedictorian.
In 1942 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Yankton College in Yankton, SD with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and education. She completed her education in 1974 graduating with honors from the University of Minnesota earning a Master of Arts degree in Library Science.
Millie had a long career starting with teaching high school math for two years in Vermillion, SD. She then moved to Los Angeles and worked for five years at the California Fruit Growers Exchange. On June 10, 1945, she married John Mike Valach. During World War II John was in the U.S. Navy assigned to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington, CV16. After the war ended, John joined Mildred in LA. They returned to South Dakota briefly before the birth of daughter Arlis in 1950 and then moved to Miles City. Son Dale was born in 1954. Mildred resumed teaching in 1957 in Miles City at Custer County High School (CCHS) where she taught three years of mathematics before becoming the Librarian for 23 years, retiring in 1983.
As best friends, Mildred and John did everything together including: square dancing, fishing, photography, house projects, and HAM radio with her call sign of K7WUK. Family and friends were very important and the Valach family made many trips to South Dakota and California to visit. Their love for traveling included trips to Czech Republic, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Hostfest in Minot, Lexington Aircraft reunions, and a Panama Canal cruise to name a few. Millie was the travel planner and kept John guessing where they would go next. She dutifully kept detailed travel logs and shared wonderful write-ups of their adventures with the family. After John’s death, she continued traveling to visit friends and family.
Mildred was a perfectionist and did much handiwork. Cross-stitch, knitting, plastic craft, and needlework were evening projects that brought her joy. She also enjoyed doing picture puzzles, Sudoku, and the daily newspaper crossword puzzle. Her favorite color was pink and flower was the rose.
Thankfully she also collected family history for future generations as well as glass baskets and angels. She had an infectious smile, was a lifelong Presbyterian, hard worker, care giver, Seattle Mariner fan, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to many.
Preceding Mildred in death were her husband John; mother and father, Joe and Marie Sutera; and siblings Arlene and Allen Sutera. She is survived by sister Gladys (Al) Souhrada of Yankton, SD; daughter Arlis (Don) Bidwell of Miles City, MT; grand-daughter Lisa (Brian) Bowers all of Thornton, CO; grand-daughter Abby (Dustin) Stevens; great grand-daughter Raeleigh Stevens; great grandson Johnny Stevens all of Elizabeth, CO; son Dale (Suzanne) Valach; grand-son Ryan Valach; grand-daughter Kelsey Valach all of Issaquah, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Prairie Community Hospital staff for their support and care during her stay there. Thanks also to all those who knew Millie and were part of her full life.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Prairie Community Hospital Activities or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday November 28, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday November 29, 2016
First Presbyterian Church
1401 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Graveside Service
following funeral service
Tuesday November 29, 2016
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday November 28, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday November 29, 2016
First Presbyterian Church
1401 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Graveside Service
following funeral service
Tuesday November 29, 2016
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, MT
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v. thompson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Mildred Valach. May you find comfort in your loving memories, and in God’s promise to soon “swallow up death forever” and “wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25;8) With deepest sympathy,
Denise Harvey says
My thoughts are with all of Millie’s family and friends. I have fond memories of knowing her from my years at Custer County High School.
Take care,
Denise Harvey
Ruben aand June Opp says
To the Valach family, So sorry to hear about the passing of our dear friend Millie, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Arlis we are so sorry we will not be there to share your grief and a shoulder to cry on I know you will miss your mother very much. May God bless and comfort you now and in the days to come.
Ruben and June Opp
Carolyn Hays says
From your past-so sorry to hear of your loss. I had recently been in Miles City and mentioned your dad to someone there. Time sure gets away from us. We lived across the alley from you when you first moved to town and lived on Dickenson St. We were on Winchester. What a neighborhood! Hoffmans, Riggs, Johnsons, Dibbles, Ables, McLeans, Browns, Balsams, Millers, Tracus, Friemarks, Yankoffs, and of course-Hasapis’s. Your folks were always so gracious
about our playing on your front lawn. What wonderful memories-Keep them close and your folks will always be with you. Deepest sympathy. Cooky (Carolyn Hays)
Arlene Corbin says
I will miss my dear friend
Donna Kingsley Coffeen says
She directly helped me to become an insatiable reader when I was at CCHS. She was a wonderful person.
Julie Axelberg says
So very sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing Dale. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers ~ Julie
Renae Bouza says
I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Millie. I loved going to Miles City because I got to pick through the books on the shelves in her basement. I took home books by the boxful which fueled my love of reading. Traveling with Millie was memorable. She had her AAA books and knew all the best tourist stops. With her excellent navigation skills, we never got lost. I looked forward to her visits to SD and will miss playing pinochle with her.
Gladys Souhrada says
Mildred was a great big sister. As young girls and even as adults, something would get us started giggling and then we couldn’t stop. I cherished her talent at crafting and crocheting items to share with friends and family. Al and I enjoyed all the trips we took with Mildred and John. I will miss her yearly visits and talking together on the phone.
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy. I still remember as a freshman in high school, how great she looked. Her bright yellow dress and black high heels.
Bill Freese says
Mrs. Valach was the librarian when I was in high school. In pre-Internet days she taught us how to find references to articles that would help in writing our research papers, and then she sympathized with us over the fact that most of those resources were not available in Miles City. My first job after college was two years as the audio-visual guy back at CCHS. Millie was my immediate supervisor. She was wonderfully tolerant of my incompetence.
Barbara Boe Anderson says
My deepest sympathies to the Valach family. As the daughter of Harold Boe, I grew up knowing Millie, and she was a large part of my high school years, as she was the librarian there. Her impact on the lives of students who inhabited her domain was far-reaching, and I know she was loved and respected.
LaVerne Jones Hebner says
I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was a special lady and a good friend of my mom, Margaret Jones. Millie was one of the “Presbyterian ladies” who served our wedding reception in the beautiful little chapel area in 1959. I believe I briefly taught you, Arlis, upstairs in the kindergarten S.S. class and remember Dale and your dad too. The years bring so many changes in our lives, some happy, others sad. Those we love leave us and new lives are given to us to love. Loving is what life is about and Millie was loved by many. One day we will all be together again and “what a day of rejoicing that will be”.
Darla Wilson Timmons says
Have many memories of Mrs. V in the HS library. Has honered to have been one of her student librarian.
Darla Wilson Timmons says
Have many memories of Mrs. V in the HS library. Has honored to have been one of her student librarian.
Terry and June Beartusk says
Millie became good friends with the Beartusk family, (June and Terry), in Lame Deer later in her life through our good and lifelong friendship with Don and Arlis. Reading her history, I can, in hindsight, easily understand that she was a world traveler since she was so at ease and accepting of other cultures. She loved being at our home in Lame Deer and always expressed a genuine interest in what was happening in our lives, just like her daughter Arlis….and Mr. Gregarious himself, Don. This also explains why, at the drop of a hat, she was so willing to jump in the RV and head off to parts unknown (especially if it involved a Mariners game) with Arlis, Don and Bear. We will miss you dearly Millie, and know that you will be delighted to meet many new people and see many new lands at your next stop. Good journey dear friend.
Eileen and Vern Entzel says
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Jane Shores says
So sorry Arlis and Don. I couldn’t make the service but know you were in my thoughts and prayers. She’ certainly had a nice long life! Millie and John were such good friends to my parents. Remember her fondly from high school also.