Mildred (Helgeson) Bauer

Mildred (Helgeson) Bauer, Maka Bos'ya Wiya (Dry Land Woman), 98 years young, of Zortman, passed away in her home on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, at the Bauer Ranch on Bear Gulch Road just past Mile Marker 4, on the way to Zortman. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the family burial ground following the service. Condolences may be posted at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com. Kirkwood Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.

Mildred was born in Lodge Pole, Mont., on Nov. 2, 1912. She was the second child of Alfred Helgeson and Ida Mae Toombs. She attended Fort Belknap Boarding School, Zortman School and Chemawa Boarding School. Mildred married Clark Harlan Aug. 4, 1932. They had three children together, Clark Jr, Ferne (Tootie) and Vicki. During World War II, she moved to Oregon, where her husband worked in the shipyards. Clark and Mildred divorced, and she later married Homer Bauer, May 19, 1951. They returned to the family ranch near Zortman. Their union was blessed with two children, Leanna and Kathy.

Mildred treasured her family and her testimony of the Savior. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mildred was a hard-working woman, who worked side by side with her husband on the family ranch. She cooked at the hospitals in Malta and Fort Belknap. She loved flowers, gardening, canning and cooking. She enjoyed fishing and camping and looked forward to family reunions. Mildred was the oldest member of the Assiniboine tribe and was one of the original allottees.

Mildred is survived by her sister, Lillian Sharette of Great Falls; her brother, Burt Azure of Zortman; her children, Vicki (Vaun) Stonehocker of Innisfail, Alberta, Canada, Leanna (Jerry) Olson of Havre, Mont., and Kathy Davis of Zortman, Mont. Mildred is survived by a total of 112 descendants, five children; 23 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and 30 great-great-grandchildren.

Mildred was preceded in death by her siblings, Harold Helgeson, Paris Gibson Helgeson, Clifford Helgeson, Oliver Helgeson, Leroy Azure and Levi Azure; her children, Clark Harlan and Ferne (Wayne) Salveson and her beloved husband, Homer Bauer.

This remarkable woman will be greatly missed by her family and friends.