Millie Inkley, 86, of Coeur d'Alene, died Nov. 29, 2011, following a long illness. 

Millie was born in 1925 in the small mining town of McGill, Nev., the second-oldest of six children born to Andrew and Mildred Klaich. She attended White Pine High School in Ely, Nev., where she excelled at academics and played along with her sister, Alexandra, on the girls' basketball team.

When she graduated from high school in the midst of World War II, Millie joined the Army Nurses' Corps, attending St. Mark's nursing school and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. It was there that she met her future husband, Lynn, who was attending college on the G.I. bill. The couple was married in April 1947, and were together for almost 65 years. Their loving and patient relationship has served as an example and an inspiration to their two boys.

Millie put her heart and soul into raising her sons, Andy and Ted. She was always there when they needed her, acting as chauffeur, tutor, nurse, Cub Scout mom, life coach and master chef.

She was active in both her boys' schools and in her local Episcopal parish.

Meanwhile, Millie pursued a successful career as a registered nurse, holding responsible jobs in several cities despite frequent moves made necessary by Lynn's job transfers. Among other things, she was the evening supervisor at Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot; and was both head of the Labor and Delivery department and house supervisor at Kootenai Memorial Hospital in Coeur d'Alene. One of her proudest professional accomplishments was helping design the Labor and Delivery department in the new Kootenai Medical Center.

After her retirement Millie was an active board member of Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Library. She served as president for several years and helped raise money to build the city's new library. She also delighted in being a grandmother and was a great friend to her grandchildren.

Millie loved reading, art, travel and golf, but above all she loved her family. They mourn her passing, but cherish the way she enriched their lives.

Millie is survived by her husband, Lynn, of Coeur d'Alene; her two sons, Andy and Ted, both of Seattle; her daughter-in-law, Alison and her grandchildren, Jessica and Brendan.

A family memorial service is pending.