January 9, 2019

Mildred Wollan

Mildred (Millie) Wollan (Trester), 89, of Missoula, formerly of Watford City, N.D., passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at her place in The Springs Retirement Community in Missoula, Mont.
She was born on Jan. 5, 1929, in Beach, N.D., to Ida and Leonard Trester. Along with her brother and sisters, Millie was raised on a farm in Sentinel Butte, N.D. She attended school there and she and her siblings would often walk, ride horses or ride a cow, named Sister, to school three miles away. In winter their dad would take them in a horse drawn sleigh.
Millie married Arne Wollan in Sentinel Butte on Aug. 22, 1949. They made their home in Watford City, N.D., where they raised their four children. They were married for 63 years before Arne passed away in February 2012. People in Watford City would comment on the beautiful flower garden Millie would have every summer. Millie often mentioned that raising her family was her most successful accomplishment.
Millie got her teachers certificate from Dickinson State College in 1948. After earning her certificate, Millie taught school in a one-room school house in Schafer, N.D. She later worked for the County Extension Office in Watford City for 22 years. Millie also coached high school girls basketball at Sentinel Butte, N.D., and won the state championship in 1948-1949. Millie continued to love basketball and watched the NBA cheering loudly for her favorite team, the Golden State Warriors.
Millie was an active member of the VFW Auxiliary. She and Arne loved to dance. On Friday and Saturday nights, you would often find them at the American Legion Club polkaing and waltzing the night away. Millie and her friend Punky, won the state championship in darts. Millie was a bullseye dart player and everyone wanted her on their team. Millie also played bridge, pinochle and bingo.
She loved visiting her family. During those visits there was always lots of game playing and laughter. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Millie looked forward to seeing relatives and loved baking for everyone.
In 2012 Millie moved to Missoula Montana to be closer to her family. She made many friends at The Springs Retirement Community where she lived and was always up for a game of cards, Wii bowling or bingo.
Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Arne; two sisters; a brother; her parents; and a son-in-law.
She is survived by one sister, Marion Stedman, Billings, Mont.; her children, Virginia Zimmerman, Spokane, Wash., Darrell Wollan, Hamilton, Mont., Marlys, (Phill) Forbes, Helena, Mont., Sherie (Ray) TeSoro, Lolo, Mont.; Grandchildren, Zachary Zimmerman, Adam Zimmerman, Nathan Zimmerman, Michael (Stephanie) Wollan, Troy (Ashley) Wollan, Sean (Lyra Leigh-Nedbor) Forbes, Cristin (Ethan) Stokes, Max TeSoro and Maria TeSoro; Great-grandchildren, Carlie Wollan, Cameron Wollan and Harrison Stokes.
The family would like to thank Partners In Home Care Hospice for helping care for her since March. Nurse Terry was very special to our mom and a great source of comfort. We would also like to thank the care givers at The Springs who took such good care of mom.
Honorary pallbearers were all her grandchildren. A private family service was held at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula, Montana.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER