Evelyn M. MILLS

MILLS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/25/2006 at 23:34:58

Evelyn M. Mills, a 55-year resident of Santa Rosa, died Saturday of heart failure at her home. Mills, who was recovering from a heart operation two years ago, was 80. Born in Clarion, Iowa, Mills graduated from high school and attended art school in Denver, Colo., where she met her husband, longtime Santa Rosa businessman Donald B. Mills. In 1944, the family moved to Santa Rosa. With her husband and three sons heavily involved in family businesses -- including Toyland, the Buyers Center, D.B.M. Mushroom Farm and several prune and grape operations -- Mills held the family together at home, family members said. ''She was on everybody's side, and that kept the family together,'' said her son Greg Mills of Santa Rosa. An avid reader, Mills also enjoyed oil and watercolor painting and going on Shriner's trips with her husband to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

In addition to Greg Mills, Evelyn is survived by two other sons, Don Mills Jr. of Santa Rosa and Rodney G. Mills of Glendive, Mont. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. Private inurnment will be at the Chapel of the Chimes.

Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
June 17, 1999