Mildred Parker

Mildred Mae (Shrader) Parker was born in a sod house, August 20, 1935 in Litchfield, NE to Earl and Muriel Shrader, the first of nine children. She passed peacefully on June 9, 2019 surrounded by her family. The Shrader family moved to Custer, MT to ranch in the late ‘40s. With other siblings she walked or rode horse to school. The family later moved to Lockwood near the Yellowstone River, and before and after school Millie helped with family chores, milked cows and mentored her younger siblings. She married Richard Parker June 27, 1953 in Red Lodge, MT. They raised two sons, Bill and Doyle and built the family home in Lockwood in 1961. When her sons started school, Millie went to work at Connolly Saddlery and worked there for 34 years, from 1966 until 2000. She outfitted everyone from a passing tourist to a world champion cowboy – as well as their horses, giving each and every one her top-notch service. Her work family and customers became her second family. On weekends, Millie was in the roping or rodeo crow's nest, Friday night she was at Yost Arena and also at many of their big roping productions. She timed and announced at Young Riders, Wrangler Team Roping Championships, the Horse Palace, the Three Can Tango, NCHA cuttings and anywhere she was asked. After retiring, she found she missed her customers and friends so she then worked for Boots, Brims and Britches and also Bill's Custom Leather. When her sons and grandsons were rodeoing, her house was open to any and all who needed a good night's sleep and a home-cooked meal. Her son Doyle recalls, “There were times I'd roll in and there wasn't an empty bed so I slept in my truck in the front yard. I still wear the shirts she made for me. I cherish those shirts. My life growing up, it wasn't just us two boys. She mothered everyone equally.” Her grandson Delon Parker said, “Didn't matter how early you got out of bed, she was up and had washed and folded the clothes you took off the night before and had breakfast sitting on the table waiting.” His memories continue: “My hat is off to this lady. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother to anyone that entered her home. She'd sit on the porch and time while I raced my pony around the block at 333 Hemlock or pull the goat around the yard while I worked on my heel shot. She could hook up a team and rake hay when she was 12, milk a cow faster than you could pour it out of a bucket and built the best-fitting cowboy shirts I've ever worn. She could run a roping faster than any three people with computers I've seen to this day. She never forgot a face and the correct name that went with it. You'll never find a more caring loving human. I will always be proud and thankful to have had her for a Gramma. I'll miss you and love you forever.” Her granddaughter Elle said, “She was loved by all and everyone was one of her kids. She had the biggest heart in the world. Her and Grampa were inducted into the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2015 for one of the most outstanding rodeo families in Montana. This was something I know was very special to Gramma. Love you Gramma.” Her daughter-in-law Jann Parker said, “Millie was a beautiful lady who cared deeply for her family and friends, she believed in the good of all people, got up early and stayed late, was always on time, prepared, and was fair. She loved rodeo, roping and good tack. She was a real Mom who made sandwiches and had sunscreen and made sure to remember your birthday. Thank you for the light you brought to my life and so many others. Thank you for being the best mother-in-law for 30 years. You can rest now, Millie. I love you.” A friend said, “She was a grand lady with a gentle compassionate heart. She was my only friend when I was going to Eastern Montana College so I admired her.” Marcia Baggs wrote, “We were loved by a wonderful Mom who was there for so many of us lost orphans.” Her siblings recall “Her many talents including sewing, knitting, needlework, cooking, gardening baking, canning - doing all this while raising her family and extended family.” She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Earl, her sister Belva Selph, husband of 65 years Richard Parker in 2018, her oldest son Bill Parker in 2016. Millie is survived by her son Doyle Parker (Michelle), and children: Delon, Elle, Trevor, and Bo; great-grandchildren, Kayda and Gabe; and daughter-in-law Jann Parker. She is also survived by sisters: Maxine (Don) Schodt, Alice (Gene) Johnson, Ina Rae (Steve) Arneson, and brothers: Everett (Cindy) Shrader, Allen Shrader and Ray (Mary) Schrader. Millie requested no funeral services because “I don't want anyone fussing over me.” If you wish to leave a memorial in Millie's name, do something nice for a kid or pay a kid's entry fees or send a check to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.