Vicki Millard

Vicki Millard, 73, of Great Falls, a great mom, fantastic and adventurous cook, hard working businesswoman, and devoted wife of 54 years, died January 6, 2012 after a 15 month battle with lymphoma, with her loving family by her side at their Great Falls home.Visitation will be one hour prior to the Vigil Service.Vigil Service is 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2012 at St. Anns Cathedral.A funeral liturgy will be at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2012 with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery.Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Vicki was born February 5, 1938, in Belcourt, ND, to parents Gabriel and Mary Folster. She was born in the Turtle Mountains as a member of the Pembina Tribe, and grew up under her brother and sisters care after her parents passed away when she was a young girl. When Vicki was 14 she moved to Wolf Point, MT, rented a room and worked at the local Sweet Shoppe while going to high school. In 1954, she met a smooth talking farm boy and recently discharged Army recruit named Larry Millard.After initially declining his persistent advances, Vicki decided to give the kid a second look and they went to a dance together.Shortly thereafter, they fell in love, married and moved to Bozeman where her husband attended MSU. That is where they started their family and life together.They have been best friends, golfing buddies, cribbage adversaries and dancing partners for 55 years.Together they raised four kids, Julie, Garry, Nancy and their spoiled youngest son, David. Vickis love language was gourmet cooking and she loved abundantly.She modeled unconditional love to all who knew her.She was an exceptionally devoted wife and gifted mother. She started in the food service industry as a teenager.After spending 15 years as a homemaker, she worked at North Jr. High in the cafeteria and then managed the Iron Kettle Restaurant in Westgate for several years.In 1975, Vicki acquired the Longhorn Supper Club and ran it for 2 years.The following 20 years were spent owning and actively running the Loft Restaurant.While at the Loft, she taught her children and many of their friends the value of hard work and good food.Over the past several years, she enjoyed serving at St. Anns Soup Kitchen.She had a heart of gold for those less fortunate and taught us all how to be content in all circumstances.In 1988, Vicki was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Ad Club. However, her greatest accomplishments were her 54 year marriage and 4 children.She loved to dance, cook, share weekly coffee with her daughters, exercise with friends, travel and cheat at golf.She loved to laugh and smile and keep her best friend, Larry in line.She will be missed by many.Vicki is survived by her husband, Larry of Great Falls; daughters Julie (Ron) Bibler and Nancy (Dan) Walker of Great Falls; and sons Garry (Stacey) Millard of New Castle, Colorado, and Dave (Bev) Millard of Spokane, Washington. She also leaves behind 17 grandkids, one great-grandkid and two in production. She is also survived by her sister Bev Mack of Great Falls.The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care and concern of Rev. Oliver Doyle and the St Anns congregation, her physicians, Doctor Bryan Martin and Doctor Dan Walker, Benefis Peace Hospice and her many friends and well wishers. Memorials are suggested to the St.Anns Catholic Church Soup Kitchen, 715 3rd Ave. No., Great Falls, MT59401.