Mildred E. Sauer, 99
Mildred E. Sauer, 99, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, entered into rest Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at Life Care Center of Coeur d'Alene.
Private family graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, at the Hope Cemetery in Hope, Idaho, with Pastor Steve Nickodemus of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Sandpoint officiating.
A memorial celebration will follow on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. for friends and family at the Old Lighthouse (former restaurant) off Highway 200 in Hope, Idaho.
She was born to Jarvis H. and Jennie (Sarah Jane McLean) Tompkins in Minot, N.D., on Oct. 12, 1905.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Darold L. Sauer in August 1979, her brother, Paul C. Tompkins; and a grandson, Rick Sauer.
Mildred was raised and graduated from high school in Minot. In 1928 she earned a bachelors of arts degree from Minot State Teachers College.
She then taught history and social problems for a few years at Granville High School in North Dakota.
On Aug. 19, 1931, Mildred married her college sweetheart, Darold Sauer in Minot. In 1935 they moved to Cut Bank, Mont., and it was there they first owned and operated a Ben Franklin Variety Store. They also opened a Ben Franklin store in Shelby, Mont., with Darold's sister, Ruth V. Sauer.
In 1939 they moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, where they owned another Ben Franklin store. The Sauers also had variety store interests in Oregon and Moscow, Idaho.
An accomplished artist over her married life, she painted primarily in oils — portraits, landscapes of Glacier Park, North Idaho and the Arizona desert. In addition, she painted scenics on miniature wooden frames and produced pen and ink sketches of wildlife for stationery which she sold throughout western Montana and to the Great Northern Railroad Company for resale at the Glacier Park hotels.
Her last major oil painting, before she was declared legally blind, was completed of Lake Louise near Banff, Canada, in 1987. For her 93rd birthday celebration, an exhibit of her artwork was showcased for family and friends.
She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter V in Sandpoint, Idaho. Mildred was a loving mother, caring friend and dear grandmother. She loved her Lord and was truly an angel to the many lives she touched.
Mildred is survived by son, Darold J. Sauer and daughter-in-law Jane of Plummer, Idaho; daughter Jane A. Johnson and son-in-law, Evertt P. "Phil" Johnson of Spokane, Wash.; eight grandchildren, Milanne Galles of Spokane, P.J. Miller of Coeur d'Alene, Kirk and Craig Sauer of Sandpoint, Nicole, Jordan and Jared Sauer of Coeur d'Alene; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1900 West Pine in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d' Alene will be in charge of arrangements. Please visit Mildred's memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.