Mildred "Millie" Harrell

Mildred “Millie” Stringham Harrell, 86, of Idaho Falls, passed away on the afternoon of July 22, 2010 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her family. Millie was born June 12, 1924 in Goshen, Idaho to William H. Stringham and Leonora M. Taylor Stringham, the fifth child of six children. After graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1941, Millie worked as a waitress in Idaho Falls with Ruby Harrell. Ruby introduced her brother, Harold Harrell to Millie; and they were married May 17, 1943. They made their home in Idaho Falls. In the spring of 1944, when Millie was pregnant with their first child, Harold joined the Army. Their daughter Sharon was born while Harold was in Europe. Millie and Harold raised five children together. Millie was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, working diligently to support her husband and provide for their children. Millie attended business college and learned secretarial and administrative skills. Upon her graduation in 1963, she worked for the Federal Land Bank in Idaho Falls, where she worked until her retirement in 1984. Millie enjoyed a good joke and her sense of humor and laughter were enjoyed by all her family and friends. She loved to dance and sing and while she worked, she often hummed a tune throughout the day. She loved spending time with friends and family, and a drop-in visit or phone call was always a source of enjoyment for her. She delighted in the many episodes of family fishing and camping trips throughout the surrounding park systems and she told many tales of the big ones that got away. She always looked forward to visiting Harold’s parents on their farm in Montana, where she and Harold’s dad would play practical jokes on those around them. After they both retired, Millie and Harold spent winters in Yuma, Arizona, where they made many friends. Upon Harold’s death in 2004, Millie continued to live in her condo on 9th street in Idaho Falls before moving to Lincoln Court, where she enjoyed playing bingo and made many more new friends. Millie is survived by her daughters Linda Harrell and Vicki Brammer, both of Idaho Falls, sons Ed (Nadine) Harrell of Yorba Linda, California, and Ron (Diane) Harrell of Rockaway, New Jersey, and 9 grandchildren: Shane, Paul, Jon, Tracey, Heidi, Dereck, Ryan, Ashley, and Megan, and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harold; her daughter Sharon, her sister Rowena, and her four brothers James, Willard, Wayne, and Glen, and grandchildren Michael and Frankie. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Idaho Office, 6901 W. Emerald, Suite 207 Boise, ID, 83704, 208-388-4253, idi@nmss.org.