Darthea J. Mills
Darthea Jean Pickering Mills went home to her Lord on July 18th. She was the oldest child of Leon and Doris Pickering of Sheldon, Wisconsin. According to her siblings, she tried to “mother” the rest of them. This tendency was probably why she chose to study nursing. She married Richard Mills of Sheldon in 1946, to this union three children were born. Two boys and a girl, Dick, Dennis and Diane. They spent most of their married life on a farm near Waupun but would later divorce. Never afraid of working hard or gaining new experiences, Jean had many different and varied careers in her life. Throughout it all, her greatest passion was the Bible. She studied the Word and its various timelines, lineages, and lessons. Similarly, she also enjoyed working on her family tree and reading old letters and postcards from previous generations. She documented everything that she found, in the Word and life, and could always be found writing something for herself or others. Jean freely shared her insights and guidance, unafraid to be a mother to all, in her own way, and a vocal leader when she believed one was needed. A free intellect, Jean was interested in alternative medicine and healing. She was consistently inspired, always starting a new project; the last one might not be done but, oh well! A trait passed on to the future generations, not naming any names. Jean was the driving force behind the founding of the Humane Society in Beaver Dam. She gifted all her children with the love of animals. There were always animals to care for and foster. She celebrated her 90th birthday July 3rd. Jean was many things to many different people and will be greatly missed. We must not be sad, for she lived a life rich with experience, now is with her Lord, free of pain, and leaves a family that resonates many of her greatest attributes. She is survived by Dick (Sue) Mills of Sheldon, Wis. and their daughters Renae (Steve) Stoll, their daughter Vivian of Vancouver, Wa. and Sarah (Jared) Lloyd of Pulaski, Wis. Dennis (Vickey) Mills of Vallecito, Ca. and their sons, Monty (Deborah) Mills, their daughter Racquel of Columbia, Md., Jeremy (Tamara) Mills and his son Seamus of Columbia, Ca. and Richard Mills of Eugene, Or. Diane Mills Frank and her husband Daryl of Beaver Dam, Wis. Jean’s sister, Florence Phillips of Richardson, Tx and brother Byron (Nolia) Pickering of Otis, Or. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Lloyd Pickering and her former husband, Richard.
The family would like to thank Golden Years in Randolph and Generations Hospice for their wonderful care of Jean.
Per Jean’s request, there will be no service.
Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home of Waupun and staff are serving the family. Please visit our website at www.wernerharmsenfuneralhome.com for further information and to send condolences.