Mildred Hooker

FUNERAL SERVICES: 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George VISITATION: 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday night at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George and again for one hour prior to the services on Wednesday INTERMENT: Lake Alice Cemetery next to her husband, Earle MILDRED HOOKERApril 15, 1932- October 30, 2008 Mildred Hooker, age 76, a life long resident of Lake Alice Township of Hubbard County, MN, passed away at her home on Thursday, October 30, 2008, with her loved ones at her side, following a valiant battle against cancer. Mildred was born on April 15, 1932 in Lake George, MN to Vernon and Florence (Burnham) Miller. As a child, Mildred"s father worked for the MN DNR and was transferred to various Forestry stations around the area, so the family made their home in Lake George, at the Mantrap Forestry Station and- the Desoto Forestry station (Two Inlets). In 1944 the family purchased the Lake Alice Store where they made their residence. Mildred attended high school in Park Rapids transferring to Bemidji her senior year where she graduated with the Class of 1950. On August 15, 1951, Mildred was united in marriage to Earle A. Hooker at Lake Alice. This union was blessed with four children: Gail, Dean, Rodney and Teresa. Mildred devoted her life to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. In addition to caring for her family, Mildred enjoyed working at Itasca State Park in a variety of capacities. In the late 60"s, Mildred began working at Park Rapids Public Schools. Later, she went back to school and studied to become a speech technician. She worked in a career as a speech technician for the Park Rapids School District for several years. In February of 1981, she along with her oldest daughter, Gail, purchased the Lake Alice Store which they ran until 2005. Mildred enjoyed working at the store where she could visit with her customers about local, state and world events. In her spare time she loved to travel. She also enjoyed playing cards with her family and friends on Sunday afternoons. She looked forward to the trips to the casino she would make with her sister, Betty and brother-in-law, Merle. Mildred loved to be with people visiting with them and listening to what was going on in their lives. She was a long time member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George. She will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Gail (Daniel) Traun of Lake Itasca, MN, Dean (Monica) Hooker and Rod (Laurie) Hooker all of Lake Alice and Teresa (Brian) Lafriniere of Mahnomen, MN; her eleven grandchildren; six great grandchildren and one great great grand daughter; two sisters: Betty (Merle) Hooker of Lake Alice and Carol Buckingham of Park Rapids, MN; her brother, Gary Miller of Lake Alice; her sister-in-law, Millie Miller also of Lake Alice; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Earle in 1995; her parents; her grandson, Joshua in 1989 and three brothers: John and Richard and Donnie who died in infancy. Funeral services will be held 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George, MN with the Reverend Donald Kirchner officiating. The soloist will be Lois Holleman and the organist will be Karen Lueth. Casket bearers will be five of Mildred"s grandchildren: Holly Paulson, David Hooker, Zachariah Hooker, James Hooker, Bryan Hooker and one nephew, Douglas Hooker. The honorary Casketbearers will be Mildred"s grand daughters: Kathryn Hooker, Cassandra Hooker, Nicole Hooker, Gabrielle Hooker, Kayela Hooker and Kristen Hooker. Interment will be made in the Lake Alice Cemetery next to her husband, Earle. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday night at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George and again for one hour prior to the services on Wednesday. Following the service a luncheon will be held for all hosted by the Trinity Lutheran Church.