Mildred “Millie” McIntyre Shields was born December 9, 1942 in the big house on the hill in Fairview, MT (then known as the Broadhead hospital). She was born to Fred and Alice (Hayward) McIntyre, the youngest of four children.
She grew up in the Bennie Pierre, Haydraw and Squaw Gap areas in North Dakota. Millie attended Squaw Gap, Leland and Shadwell schools and attended high school in Sidney, MT.
Her dad was her idol, a true old time cowboy. She spent many days and even years with him on horseback while growing up. Her quick wit, smile, funny saying and the twinkle in her eyes no doubt came from him. The whole family loved to go to country dances and dance until daylight, getting home just in time for dad to milk the cows.
After moving to Sidney, Millie worked at the Center Theatre as an usher and at the Snowflake Bakery. She worked at the courthouse for many years and part time at the Yellowstone Mercantile.
In 1958 Millie married Ralph Shields in Fairview, MT. They had two sons, Tim and Wade. They worked at various jobs in the Sidney area until they bought their first over the road truck in 1975. The trucking continued for many years. They moved back to Savage in 1978. Her husband kept trucking and Millie worked part time at Badtrey’s grocery store until going to work at the Savage school as the District Clerk for more than 26 years. She was also their activity bus driver for many years. Millie also enjoyed many years of motorcycling and snowmobiling. She retired from the school system in 2006 and drove beet truck for Tombre Farms for several years. She also had a small emu farm for about 15 years with her friend Tom Hafele. She developed and sold her own line of emu oil products for many years.
Millie was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Savage and served on their council as a trustee and treasurer. She was also a member First Lutheran Ladies Group and helped make and distribute many, many quilts. She was also a member of the group that made the seed pictures for the fair each year. She volunteered at the Savage Manor Assisted Living Facility and was the “master mind” in getting the generator system for the Manor. She also served on the Foundation for Community Care Board of Trustees. She also crocheted many baby items for various charities in the Sidney and Glendive areas.
Millie was a very giving and hard working person. She took care of her home and large yard in Savage, keeping it looking very nice and should be honored for her selfless contributions to family, friends, church and community. She was a very private person whose love for her family is more than we know. It really mattered to her that they be as proud of her as she is of them. She was fortunate enough to travel to Hawaii and on some bus tours with friends. She also had a great love of country music.
Millie is survived by her son Tim (Missy) Shields and their children: Chris, Fairview, MT, Amy, California, Travis, Phoenix, Cody, South Dakota, and Lane, Savage, MT; great grandchild Avery, California; two sisters Laura Macik and Marjorie Carter of Billings, MT and numerous nieces and nephews.
Millie died on Monday, June 27, 2016 at Sidney Extended Care in Sidney, MT.