Mildred Cheney

Mildred was born on May 3, 1914, to Andrew and Anna (Norem) Ottosen in Carmengay, Alberta, Canada. At seven years of age her family moved to Tacoma, WA where she continued her education and graduated from Stadium High School in 1932. During her high school years, Mildred studied vocal music and sang in several operettas which were popular at the time. She was also invited to sing in operettas at the College of Puget Sound (now V.P.S.). After high school, Mildred was accepted into and graduated from Tacoma Business College. She was hired by Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company in Tacoma and worked her way up to private secretary to the Director of Sales.

Mildred and Bob met at Epworth Methodist Church in Tacoma where she loved singing in the choir. She and Bob were married there in June of 1937. She enjoyed her job with Weyerhaeuser, but quit to be a stay at home mom when babies began to arrive.

The family moved to Yakima in 1945 and Bob worked as sporting goods buyer for Yakima Hardware Wholesale. He later started his own wholesale sporting goods business with main office and warehouse located in Yakima and operated for many decades. Mildred served as the bookkeeper for several years.

Besides being a great mother, wife, and homemaker, Mildred was active in Terrace Heights Presbyterian Church as a charter member, Sunday school teacher, Choir member, Deaconess, and women's association member, serving on its board many times. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, the Rosalma Club and golfing as a member of the Yakima Country Club.

Mildred loved the special times when family came home for meals, picnics, and holidays. The family has great memories of playing ping-pong in the rec. room or badminton in the back yard, with all ages contributing to the fun! The whole family will always cherish her warm hospitality and yummy meals!

We have peace knowing she is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and loved ones who have gone on before her.

Mildred is survived by her three children, Robert D. Cheney and wife Sylvia of Yakima; Carol Carlon and husband Mike of Phoenix, AZ; and Beverly Thomson of Austin, TX; as well as eight grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Anna Ottosen; her husband of 65 years, Robert J. Cheney; her brother Norem Ottosen; her sister Marion Pratt; her son-in-law Rick Thomson; and grandson baby Michael Carlon Jr.

Mildred's family wants to thank Living Care Retirement Community for their wonderful, loving, care during the eight years she lived there.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 9th Avenue.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 22nd at Terrace Heights Presbyterian Church, 4303 Maple Ct., Yakima, WA. Burial will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mildred’s name to Living Care Retirement Community or Terrace Heights Presbyterian Church in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima, Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.