Mildred Pearl Volkman, 98, of Richland, Washington went to her Lord on Tuesday, April 29. Mildred Millie was born August 21, 1915 in Logan, Utah to Edward Blair Hanson and Leah Nora Hanson. She married Merrill R. Sommers in 1944 and moved to Richland with her 2 daughters and had 3 sons. In 1957 at age 42 she attended Columbia Basin College and subsequently Central Washington College and graduated with a teaching degree. She began teaching elementary school in Richland in 1960 and then became a school librarian four years later. She and James Jim Volkman deceased married in 1973 and added 4 step children.

She retired in 1981 at age 66 to play golf, bridge, bowl, and sing in the church choir at Richland Lutheran Church do crossword puzzles and travel. She missed teaching children so she made quilts based on children's books and began touring schools telling the stories and displaying the quilts. Quilting became her passion for the next 33 years and she was a proud and lifelong member of the quilting cult. She was recognized numerous times for her quilts. Millie was a member of Richland Lutheran Church family for 64 years.

Millie's life was an amazing journey from a homemaker with a glorious gift of music, a middle-aged college student, an elementary school teacher, a librarian, a choir member, a choir director, a golfer and bowler and a quilter extraordinaire. She was a mentor and friend to countless and wonderful wife and mother. Her life exemplified the Robert Schuller quote Lord, make my life a window for Your love to shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love to all I meet.

Millie is survived by her children Linda Gerry Evanson, Walt Grace Sommers, Merrill Debby Sommers and Emmett Karen Sommers; stepchildren Marcy Gary Spaulding, David Shirley Volkman, Dan Terry Volkman, Melanie John Wright. Millie is preceded in death by her husband Jim and daughter Nancy Collier. Millie has 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Memorial service to commemorate Millie's life with friends and family will be held at the Richland Lutheran Church, 901 Van Geisen Street, Richland WA on Saturday, May 10 at 2:00 pm.