Mildred Hamlin

(Feb. 27, 2007)

Mildred A. Hamlin, 93, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Powell Valley Care Center.

She was born March 16, 1913 in Chicago, Ill., to Joel and Amelia (Harper) Ahlstedt, joining sister Eleanor in the family. She graduated from Calumet High School in Chicago in 1930.

After her parents died in 1932, Mildred and sister Eleanor joined the work force. She married Gordon J. Hamlin on Oct. 8, 1938, after a five-year courtship. Gordon's father, a minister, performed the ceremony. To this union a son and two daughters were born.

Gordon went to work for Pure Oil Co., and was transferred to Norfolk, Va., where they lived for two years. The couple then transferred to Pure's propane division in Worland. Mildred often remarked that her first look at Wyoming as the plane landed in Worland was that they had moved to the middle of nowhere.

Mildred adjusted to life in Worland and became active in First Baptist Church as well as her bridge clubs. She later went to work as a secretary at the Socony-Mobil plant in Manderson, and then at the Selective Service office. Mildred and her husband both retired in 1978, and since Mildred had followed Gordon all over the country during their working years, it was her choice where they would live in retirement. Mildred decided upon the move to Mesa, Ariz., where they could be near daughter Susan.

She and Gordon both became active retirees in Mesa where they joined Trinity Baptist Church and traveled extensively, including several cruises and a trip to Sweden. They enjoyed their card groups and visiting with friends. They then purchased a summer home in Show Low in the White Mountains, where many of their Mesa friends also summered. After Gordon's death in 1981, Mildred remained in Mesa until failing health forced her to move to Powell in 2001 to be near daughter, Diane.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon, sister, Eleanor; son, David; daughter, Susan, and granddaughter, Kimberly. She is survived by daughter Diane Hefenieder of Powell; daughter-in-law, Nancy Hamlin of Winter Park, Fla.; son-in-law, Mike Nichols of Mesa; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at Mesa City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Thompson Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.