Mildred Mortimer, 96, of Buhl, Idaho, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, while surrounded by her loving family. Mildred was born June 29, 1906, in Boyd County, Nebraska. She was the 2nd of six children born to Sylvester and Sadie Halverson Canfield. As a young girl in Nebraska, she worked as her father's right hand assistant, performing the many tasks of a farmer on the family farm. She was proud to. work right along side her father and, in later years, spoke often of these memories, which were near and dear to her. She also treasured the talents of cooking and sewing that her mother taught her. In 1925, she moved to Idaho with her family. After the move, Mildred went to work as a Telephone Operator and dearly loved that job. In January of 1926, she married John Paxton and together they had four children. She farmed with her husband, just southwest of Twin Falls for many years. They were later divorced. She married Charles Duling in 1953 in Madras, Oregon and they resided there until 1959 when they moved to Twin Falls. She worked at various jobs in Twin Falls until in 1969, they moved to Buhl and there, she worked for her daughter and son-in-law (the late Lloyd Adamson) at Lloyd's Circle Market in Buhl and Adamson's Arctic Circle. Charles passed away in 1970. She then married Hugh Mortimer of Norfolk, Nebraska in 1972 and he passed away in 1987. She resided in her own home until the age of 90 years. She moved then to Woodstone Retirement Center in 1997 for five years and spent her last year at Sunbridge Care Center. Mildred loved to play cards, crochet and have family get togethers. Her life was centered around her children and grandchildren and visits from her sisters and relatives. Mildred was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and her devotion to the Lord was a very important part of her life. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Survivors include her son, George (Alma) Paxton of Twin Falls; daughter, Marjorie (Jack) Skinner of Buhl; daughter-in-law, Helen Paxton of Buhl; step daughter, Lucille Henderson of Tulare, CA; three sisters, Marie Brooks of Roseburg, OR, Dorothy Burke of Twin Falls, and Helen (William) Strain of Portland, OR. Also surviving Mildred are her 10 grandchildren, Karla Pippitt, John, Brent, Jim, Rick Paxton, and Tom Adamson, all of Twin Falls, Robert Paxton of New Hampshire, Don Paxton of Reno, NV, Marty Paxton of Washington and Michael Adamson of Boise, ID, and 13 great-grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren. Her parents, three husbands, John Paxton, Charles Duling and Hugh Mortimer, one son, Lawrence (Larry) Paxton, one infant daughter, three great grandchildren, one brother, Harlan Canfield and one sister, Laura Tews preceded her in death. Funeral Services for Mildred will be held Saturday, April 5, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Buhl, Idaho with the Rev. Mark Latham officiating. Interment will be held following the services at the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho. Friends may call Friday, April 4, 2003, from 4-6 p.m. at the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho. All services and arrangements are under the direction of the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho.

-- published in The Times-News (Twin Falls, ID) on 3 Apr 2003