Karen Mills

Karen Lynn Grigsby Mills, 79, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024 at her home in Glendive. Karen was born in Glendive at the old NP Hospital to Durell (“Pete”) and Delsie Grigsby on September 24, 1944. She was the second of three children, with an older sister Sharon and a younger brother Fred. She grew up on a farm northeast of Bloomfield where she attended country school through the 8th grade. In 1959, the family moved from the farm into town so that Sharon and Karen could attend high school in Glendive. Karen graduated from DCHS in 1962. Karen fell in love with Gordon Mills after she spent a romantic first date with him watching drag races in Lewistown in August of 1965. They were married in 1966 and and were together in life’s adventures ever since. During their 57 years of marriage, they raised three wonderful sons – J.R., Rod, and Ryan. The kids and grandkids were able to visit often, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Karen supported and actively participated in all the auto-enthusiast adventures that Gordon pursued, including the Glendive drag races and the Badlands Drifters Car Club. She worked in administrative support and as a bookkeeper in Glendive for the majority of her life and used those skills to help support her family and the car club for almost 30 years. Not only was Karen a wonderful wife for Gordon, but she was also an incredible mother for her boys. She attended every event she possibly could that her boys were involved in. She was the “unofficial” scorekeeper of hundreds of baseball games. She demonstrated the incredible patience and love required to raise three boys. Karen was thrilled to get three daughters that came into the family already raised--she loved her three daughter-in-law’s and truly appreciated all that they brought to the family to support her and her boys. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Delsie Grigsby; and her sister, Sharon Sampson. Karen is survived by her husband Gordon; brother Fred; sons J.R. (Kirsten) of Westminster, CO, Rod (Shelly) of Nampa, ID, Ryan (Raquel) of Draper, UT; and four grandchildren – Evan & Rylan, Jenna & Josh. The family would like to thank the “angels” that provided so much support for Karen, especially Dr. Joan “Mutt” Dickson, the hospice staff, and the great staff at GMC. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Dickson who was with Karen to the very end. Her care and compassion provided tremendous relief for the family. There are no words that are adequate to thank Dr. Dickson. Doctor’s in rural communities are desperately needed, especially doctors that not only practice medicine, but also practice compassion and support for the people within their care. In order to support Dr. Dickson, and hopefully fuel more rural Montana doctors, we request anyone that feels compelled to donate to the Nicholas G. Ward, M.D. Endowed Scholarship Fund at https://give.uwmedicine.org/give. A Life Tribute service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Celebrant Heidi Carney officiating. Interment will follow in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the Nicholas G Ward, MD Endowed Scholarship Fund at https://give.uwmedicine.org/give to help Montana UW students with their education, in hopes they will return to Montana to practice medicine. Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Karen Mills

September 24, 1944 - January 3, 2024

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Karen Mills

September 24, 1944 - January 3, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support