Mildred Leone Wilson

Born to Emil and Nora Brinkman on November 26, 1917 in Waverly, Iowa. Mildred was welcomed by her older siblings, Lucille and Glen.

She enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the family farm. One of her favorite childhood memories was riding into town for supplies on Saturday with her mother and father. She would spend the night with her grandmother. Her parents would return on Sunday and they would attend church before returning back to the farm.

Her father died the night before her 12th birthday. The family had to sell the farm and move to town. This sad event would turn out to be the beginning of a wonderful life journey. Her family moved next door to the young man she would eventually marry. Three years apart in age, they barely knew each other until high school. She eventually caught his eye. Her sister Lucille, a teacher, used to let Mildred drive her car. (She often mused that maybe it was the car that caught his eye.}

She married her lifetime love P.L. "Bob" Wilson at the age of 18. They worked together side by side. Daughter Patricia Ann was born in 1938. Five years later, they moved to Vancouver, Washington. Bob started a heating oil business and Mildred took calls, scheduled appointments and kept the books from home. During this time they welcomed daughter Jacqueline Joann. Mildred would frequently be bathing the baby, taking orders and scheduling appointments over the phone simultaneously. Eventually Bob went into the Real Estate Business and, once again she was at his side helping to run the business. She kept the books, ran the office, handled escrow deposits and escrow closings. She was so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. She was his biggest supporter in everything he did...Mayor of Vancouver, Real Estate Commissioner, Church Lay Leader and Civic Leader.

She was also a loving mother to Pat and Jackie. She nurtured her love of music in her girls. Jackie has fond memories of her mother playing the piano and singing. She played the clarinet in the marching band in high school, loved singing in the choir and playing bells in the bell choir at church.

Independent and hard working, Mildred continued to paint her house, mow her lawn, clean the gutters and spread bark dust in the spring. She continued to do these things well into her 90's. She did allow someone to re-roof her house but only under her watchful supervision.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years P.L. "Bob" Wilson, daughter Patricia Ann Nicholson (Larry). She is survived by daughter Jackie Propp (John), Grandchildren Mike Nicholson (Kathy), Jody Jensen (Kyle),Kaycee Propp Tolmie and Jonathan Propp (April), 10 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service for Mildred on Friday, March 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at the Vancouver First United Methodist Church, 401 E. 33rd Street, Vancouver, Washington 98663.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Vancouver First United Methodist Church.