Mildred "Millie" Ethun

Mildred E. “Millie” Ethun, age 96 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 17 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Mildred Emma Doege was born December 25, 1927 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Paul and Coletta (Miller) Doege. She was united in marriage to Kenneth “Kenny” Ethun on November 22, 1947 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Millie and Kenny lived in Bloomington until 1976 and during that time, Millie was employed as a school cook in Bloomington for twelve years. The couple then owned and operated a resort on Lake Ida in Alexandria for ten years. In May of 1999, the couple moved back home to Sauk Centre.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Millie enjoyed gardening, especially when it came to her flower gardens. Millie’s passion was being able to help people and bring a smile to their faces. She volunteered at the nursing home for over ten years and brought joy to wherever she went. Her smile would light up the room.

Survivors include her four children, Denny Ethun of Bloomington, Donny (Jody) Ethun of Avon Park, Florida, Dean (Sharon) Ethun of Springdale, Washington, and Cheryl “Dee Dee” (Mark) Wilke of Becker; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and sister, Ione Dickhaus of Apple Valley. 

Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny Ethun on July 21, 2005; parents; great-grandson, Brady John Schmitz; sister, Annella Blaske; and brothers, Vernon Doege, Paul "Spike” Doege, and Donald “Pete” Doege.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Cura of Sauk Centre Care Center.