Harry D. Mills

Harry Mills, 86, of Wakefield, Nebraska passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the Wakefield Care Center. Funeral services for Harry will be held on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 1:30 P.M. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Wakefield; Pastor Ross Erickson will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Bressler ~ Munderloh Funeral Home. There will be a prayer service held at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be in Wakefield Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the Wakefield American Legion Post #81. Harry was born on October 20, 1923 on a farm near Berwyn, Nebraska, the firstborn of Frank and Sarah Bertha Mills. He attended and graduated from Westerville High School in Westerville, Nebraska. Harry served in World War II in the Merchant Marines. After his military service, he attended and graduated from Kearney State Teachers College in 1950. During his time at Kearney, he met and later married Ardyth Rice on May 29, 1949 in Broken Bow, Nebraska. He taught and coached at Newcastle and Bradshaw, Nebraska. After earning his Administrator’s Graduate Degree, Harry served as Superintendent at Hampton, Callaway, and Wakefield, Nebraska. In 1967, he began serving as the administrator of the Educational Service Unit #1 in Wakefield, Nebraska, where he remained for twenty years until retiring in 1987. During his retirement, he held a part-time position as the Wayne County Superintendent of Schools until 2001. Harry loved life; he loved his family, his friends, his church, kids, reading, history, woodworking, storytelling, and laughing. He was also an avid sports fan; he spent many hours golfing and bowling with his friends, and of course, cheering on the Nebraska football team. Harry enjoyed a good political debate, standing firm in his own convictions, but always respectful of others’ opinions. He was active in his church as he taught Sunday School for several years and was a strong advocate for the public school system. Harry played an important role in his community as a Boy Scouts leader, member of the Lions Club, the Library Board, and various other civic and educational committees. Harry is survived by his wife, Ardyth, of Wakefield Nebraska; his children: Marlene Mills-Margesson and her husband Hugh of San Clemente, California; Carol Mills of Denver, Colorado; Scott and his wife Terri of Borger, Texas; Robin Byers and her husband Dan of Lincoln, Nebraska; six grandchildren: Brittney, Haylee, Ross, Taylor, Kristen, and Addison. He is also survived by five siblings: Dana of St. Joseph, Missouri; Wayne and his wife Marvel of Broken Bow, Nebraska; Sylvia Happold of Grand Island, Nebraska; Ted and his wife Elaine of Buffalo, Wyoming; and Paul and his wife Donna of Ansley, Nebraska. Harry is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Harry was preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter, Whitney.