Millie Minkler

I was one of 5 children born to Herman and Lena Walters in Elgin Nebraska August 18th, 1925. I grew up on farms near Elgin and Oakdale until I graduated from Tilden High School in 1942.I taught in a one room rural school for the next two years—loved teaching but it was boring being stuck on a farm so I went to Omaha with friends and worked as a dental assistant for 2 years. Adventure called and it was off to California with a girl friend. In May of 1948 I married Roy Minkler who also had graduated from Tilden high school, but I didn’t know him there. We were married in Ventura by Bib Wylie. Roy and I lived in Menlo Park and Palo Alto where we raised our 4 children. I was a stay at home Mom but managed to take care of other children, do a lot of volunteer work in both church and school. We made a moved to Pinole, because of job relocation, in 1974. Roy developed colon cancer and passed away in October of that year. Karen was still at home as she was 13 at the time. I continued with volunteer work and traveling until I took a full time job with the state as an employment placement person. After 7 years I was able to retire and have been thankful for the great benefits of that job. After retirement I continued with volunteer work, traveling, and painting and crafts. In 1988 I left Pinole and moved to be closer to the mountains in Pollock Pines. There I met and married Jim Stressenger and together we had a happy 10 years. He passed away in June of 2000 at 89. Now I live in a nice mobile home park. I am blessed with good health, energy, lots of friends and a great family. The children planned a 80th. Birthday party for me in Aug. It was one I will never forget!! I still travel a lot, paint, do crafts, church activities, am in a couple card groups, and in general keep too busy to be lonely. I will see all my sisters and brother and their families in July as we will be having a big family reunion at the Black Hills in South Dakota. Love to have guest so you are all welcome to come to my house any time. This is just a little of what’s happened to me in the last 80 years.