Mrs. Mildred Elsie ‘Millie’ Nanninga passed away suddenly at Extendicare Michener Hill, Red Deer, Alberta on Monday, May 16, 2022 at the age of 94 years.
Mildred was born on Friday, January 13, 1928, on the family homestead near Greencourt, Alberta, to parents, William and Adelaide McMillan. Millie, as she became known, walked five miles a day to the West Paddle School. It was here, in the one room schoolhouse, where she took her first eight years of education. Following this, she attended the “dorm”, as she affectionately called it, in Sangudo, where she completed her education up to Grade 11.
Millie went on to become a CNA (Certified Nurse’s Aide). She was working at the University Hospital in Edmonton, where she met her future sister-in-law, which led to the introduction to Gerd.
Millie and Gerd were married in Mayerthorpe, Alberta on July 2, 1952. They moved to the Nanninga Farm near Caroline in the Spring of 1953 with their first-born, Garry. Gail and Robert were born in Innisfail. In the Fall of 1956, they moved to Jasper Place near Edmonton, as three years of hail had taken the shine off farming. Their son, Daniel, was born in Edmonton. In the Spring of 1961, the house in the city was sold and the family moved back to the farm to pursue their passion. Jim, their youngest son, was born in Innisfail a few years later.
Millie was very involved in the community. She served on the school board, hospital board, assisted with elections, and was instrumental in having the Shilo School recognized as a Provincial Historical Site. She assisted in leading the local Cub Scouts pack.
Millie joined the Royal Purple as a charter member in 1962, and served in numerous roles as a lifelong member of the local lodge. She also served as the Royal Purple District 3 Deputy for Alberta.
In 1967, Millie began working at the Eckville Hospital and continued to work there for fourteen years. In 1980, she was elected as a School Board Trustee, where she held the position for nine years. She was the only woman amongst a board of five Trustees. In 1981, Millie resigned from the Eckville Hospital and then spent some time as a Trustee on the Innisfail Hospital Board. It was during her time on the Board that the new hospital was built.
She enjoyed travelling, whether it was with the Royal Purple, or trips to visit relatives in Quebec, Ontario, and New England. She had a passion for family history and one of her fondest memories was her trip to her ancestors’ home on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.
Millie will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Gerd, (seven weeks shy of seventy years of marriage), her sons: Garry (Hiromi) of Calgary, Robert (Doris) of Raven, Dan (Deb) of Caroline, Jim (Laurie) of Canmore, her seven grandchildren and her ten great grandchildren. Millie was predeceased by her daughter, Gail Christine. A Public Visitation will be held at the Raven Union Cemetery Church on Friday, May 27, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with Interment to follow at the Raven Union Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the King of Kings Lutheran Church, Dickson, Alberta on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in Millie’s honour may be made directly to the Raven Union Church, 4453 Twp Rd 364, County of Red Deer, Alberta T4G 0L5 or to STARS, PO Box 570, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 or at www.stars.ca or to a Charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd. 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437

• Date : 2022-05-26
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com