Mildred Marie (Sager) Brown

            Just before midnight on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at a Star care facility, surrounded by her loving family, Mildred Marie Brown, 91, of Nampa, went to be with her Lord and her beloved husband.  Heaven received another angel that night.

            Mildred was born October 24, 1924 in a farmhouse near Nampa, Idaho, to Thomas E. and Iva G. Sager.  Her life began on a farm and, because her father was a tenant farmer, the family moved often.  At the tender age of 7, with five older brothers as her mentors, she learned to milk cows and drive derrick.  Tales of her childhood farm life adventures and antics, often involving her brothers and younger sister, were always entertaining. She attended thirteen different schools in twelve years, and graduated from Nampa High School in 1942.

            When she was just fourteen, on Sunday, February 12, 1939, Mildred entered the Boise Valley Church of the Brethren for the first time.  It was there she was introduced to the tall, handsome substitute Sunday School teacher with the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen.  "Be still, my heart, he must be too old for you," she told herself, but it was love at first sight.  Soon she won the heart of the handsome man, and on May 24, 1942, she and Blaine E. Brown were married in the little church in which they met.

            For 72 years Mildred lived on the farm on Highway 20-26 near Nampa where she and Blaine settled in 1944.  She was a faithful farm wife and devoted mother to their three daughters, Sharon, Sue, and Ginny, and (finally!) a son, Rich.  In addition to sharing the dairy responsibilities, feeding hay and threshing crews, and supporting Blaine's passion for Quarter horses, she maintained a fastidious home and spent countless hours cooking, cleaning and sewing.  Her home was always a welcome refuge for family, friends, neighbors and even strangers (most of whom soon became new friends).  Her beautifully crafted, delicious pies were renowned far and wide...especially the banana cream variety. 

            In addition to being an accomplished homemaker, Mildred held various part-time jobs through the years, including Bird's Eye Frozen Foods and seasonal work at the Amalgamated Sugar Factory weigh station.  For nearly 20 years she was a substitute rural mail carrier for Caldwell Route 6, and on June 30, 1973 she was appointed Postmaster of the Huston, Idaho, post office, where she served diligently and faithfully until her retirement in July, 1987.  She was highly respected and loved by her patrons at Huston, and maintained friendships with many of them for the remainder of her life.     Following retirement Mildred tenderly cared for Blaine who passed away August 22, 1994, from the effects of Parkinson's Disease.

            Mildred was a member of the Boise Valley Church of the Brethren for more than 75 years and faithfully served there in a variety of capacities.  For many years she was the chorister, sharing the gift of her beautiful voice with the congregation.  She served as a deacon, was active in Women's Fellowship, and always provided more than her share of the food for potlucks, funeral dinners and other church meals.  In 1954 she was a chaperone for a group of Idaho youth attending the first Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference in Anderson, Indiana.

            When she was just thirteen Mildred received a "Degree of Excellence" for the Palmer Method handwriting.  One of her gifts was acknowledging every birthday, anniversary or any other occasion.  Nearly everyone who knew her has been the recipient of a card or letter displaying her exquisite, recognizable handwriting.  Mildred's warm, genuine smile melted hearts and her own heart was filled with ample love for everyone with whom she came in contact.  She loved her "adopted" children and grandchildren as she did her own.

            Mildred is survived by her four children, Sharon Brown, Seattle, WA, Sue (Dennis) Daniel, Nampa, Ginny (Bill) Noyes, Caldwell, and Rich (Jan) Brown, Meridian; eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Daniel (Buzz) Harris, and many nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved dearly.

            She is preceded in death by her husband, Blaine; her parents, Thomas and Iva Sager; five brothers, Raymond, Harley, Chester, Earl and Bela Sager and their wives; two sisters, Mary Leta Sager and Marjorie Harris; a niece, Delora Mae (Dee) McDaniel and a nephew, Ron Sager.

            Mildred's family would like to thank the staff of Country Time Assisted Living in Star and Legacy Hospice for the care they provided in the final weeks of her life.

               A viewing and visitation will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. There will also be another viewing at the Nampa Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 from 8:30 to 9:30 AM followed by a procession to the Lower Fairview Cemetery on McMillan Rd just east of Star Rd with a graveside service at 10:00 A.M. A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at 12:00 Noon at the Nampa Church of the Brethren on the corner of Orchard and Middleton in Nampa. All family and friends are welcome to all services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book and full obituary is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com 442-8171. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boise Valley Church of the Brethren, 4721 North Star Road, Meridian, ID 83646.

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