Mildred S. Gass July 26, 1926 - July 9, 2022

Mildred “Millie” Sarah Gass

July 26, 1926 – July 9, 2022

At the age of 95, on July 9, 2022, Mildred “Millie” Sarah Gass peacefully passed away, just 17 days shy of her 96^th birthday. Mom was born July 26, 1926 on a farm near Winside, Nebraska to David Thomas and Helen Swihart Thomas. Her early years on the farm included attending a one room school house until she was 10. Her family then moved to Valentine, Nebraska. Upon graduation from Valentine High School in 1944 mom took a train by herself to San Diego California to work at the Naval Air Station on Coronado Island during WW II.

After the war, mom returned to Nebraska where she married Elbert E. “Hap” Gass in 1947. They met at The Cosmo Club in Valentine during the Christmas Holiday in 1946. They moved to Omaha, Nebraska where dad was attending law school at Creighton University and mom worked as a secretary for an insurance company in downtown Omaha. After dad graduated from law school in 1952, they moved to Boise, Idaho. Mom and dad had two sons in Boise, before moving to Montpelier, Idaho in 1959. They had a daughter while in Montpelier and remained there until 1967, moving back to Boise where dad had accepted a position as city attorney for Boise.

Back in Boise, mom enjoyed an active life, raising her children, socializing with a close group of friends, and pursuing hobbies including gardening. Mom loved doing yard work which included planting huge black pots on the front porch, maintaining an extensive raspberry patch and Lily of the Valley bed, and mowing and watering the lawn. When dad retired from the city and started a private law practice, mom became his legal secretary and bookkeeper. Mom and dad had purchased five acres in Eagle in 1973, and finally left Boise in 1990 after building a home on the property. Mom was often seen moving irrigation pipe around the five acres to maintain the alfalfa she and dad had planted. Mom loved being a grandparent and would often help take care of her grandsons.

After reluctantly selling the house in Eagle after dad passed away, Mom moved to Morning Star Senior Living in Boise in 2012.  She could be found most days doing puzzles and lived an independent life there until March of 2022 when she moved to Touchmark at Meadow Lake Memory Care.  The family is so grateful for the Morning Star community (especially Janine the Executive Director and the ladies who lunch – Lynn, Jean, and Arlene) and the loving memories they created for mom and the family.  The family is also grateful for the Keystone Hospice team and the caregivers at Touchmark Memory Care for the excellent care they provided mom and the support of the family. A heartfelt Thank You to these communities and care givers.

Mom is survived by her son Thomas J. Gass of Rancho Mirage, CA; her daughter MaryBeth Carson of Eagle, ID; her two grandsons Tom Carson of Salt Lake City, UT, and Alec Carson of Boise, ID; her best friend of 70 years Doris Schneider; her good friend Greg Carson; her sister MaryLou Lavery; her brother Bill Thomas; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Mom was preceded in death by her husband Hap; her son Timothy Gass; her sister Blanche Olson; and brother Keith Thomas.

Mom’s wishes were to be cremated and returned to Valentine to be laid to rest alongside dad in the family plot at Mount Hope Cemetery. A service in Valentine will be held at a later date, where we will all wear lavender in honor of mom’s favorite color.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.