Lois (Christensen) Mills
1927 - 2020
McMinnville N-R/News-Register 10/2/2020
Lois
(Christensen) Mills passed away Saturday, September 26, 2020, in the late
afternoon at Hillside in McMinnville, Oregon. Her four children were at her
bedside.
She
was 93 years old. Lois was born February 16, 1927, in McMinnville to Merlin C.
Christensen and Marguerite (Goffrier) Christensen. She grew up on her parents’
farm as an only child with many Christensen cousins nearby.
She
attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from
McMinnville High School in 1945. She went on to Linfield College and graduated
in 1948. Her degree was in Home Economics with further emphasis on Business and
Accounting.
She
began her working career by teaching in the Home Economics department at
Linfield for one year. From there, she worked for Meier & Frank in Portland
before meeting her best friend and love of her life, Roger Q. Mills, in
Corvallis. Roger and Lois were married in the farmhouse on Delashmutt Lane on
June 18, 1950. Their marriage was to last 59 1/2 years.
After
a brief time in Corvallis, and after the birth of their first child, they moved
to Waldport, Oregon, where they bought a hardware store. They were in business
in Waldport for approximately 20 years. They decided to add furniture,
appliances, floor coverings and housewares/giftware to their inventory, which
they eventually sold in 1972. During this period of time, they had three more
children, including a set of twins.
In
1973, they bought another hardware store in the Taft section of Lincoln City.
Again, Lois and Roger worked side by side building the business, which exists
today as Mills Ace Hardware with two locations in Lincoln City. In the
mid-2000s, Roger and Lois moved to McMinnville. Daughter Marianne lived close
by and Lois enjoyed being involved in her activities.
Lois’
passion was sewing and, in particular, tailoring. She did exquisite work,
probably better made than any store-bought garment. She was a perfectionist and
expected perfection from her daughters’ sewing projects. And she loved shoes,
handbags and coats. In later years, she enjoyed traveling, Oregon State women’s
basketball, spending time in her Sunriver home, and Pink Martini. She loved her
family and watching her children and grandchildren become successful in their
lives.
In
2018, Lois moved from her home in McMinnville to Hillside Communities. The
family would like to thank Hillside Skilled Care/Rehab staff for all their care
during her stay in that unit. In addition, thanks to Serenity Hospice for their
role in the last week of our mother’s life.
Lois
is survived by daughter, Marianne Mills; son, Ty Mills (Nancy); daughters, Jean
Morgan (Kevin) and Joyce Bottemiller (Jerry). She is also survived by six
grandchildren, Gregg Hendricks (Charlotte), Jeff Hendricks (Jena), Cassidy
Canorro (John), Michael Neubauer (Mari), Jake Morgan (Fatima) and Brian Mills.
She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Maddie, Hannah, Maci and
Hadley Hendricks, Austin and Madison Canorro, and Lorraine Morgan. Lois was
preceded in death by her husband, parents and older brother who who died at
birth.
A
private family service is planned for later October due to COVID and her
wishes. Interment will be at Evergreen alongside her husband. Memorial
donations may be made to McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity (P.O. Box 301,
McMinnville 97128) or First Baptist Church of McMinnville (125 S.E. Cowls,
McMinnville 97128). The Habitat donations will be earmarked for the Turner
Build in honor of Bernie and Roz Turner. To leave condolences, visit www.macyandson.com
