Mildred “Millie” Maurine Burt passed away in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2023, just shy of her 98th birthday. Millie was born Sept. 5, 1925, in Russell, Kan., to the late Edgar Henry Hoffman and Pearl Mildred (Taylor) Hoffman. Millie’s father was a Methodist minister and the family moved often for his seminary itinerancy, settling primarily in the Midwest. Millie served in the nurse cadet corps during World War II and completed her nursing certificate in 1946 from the Newman School of Nursing. She married Norman “Norm” Burt and they welcomed a daughter, Carolyn, and a son, Denny; the family relocated from Nebraska to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1954. Millie attended the University of Oregon Medical School to obtain her public health nursing certificate, serving as a public health nurse and district supervising nurse at Panhandle Health District. She completed her bachelor’s in sociology in 1969 from Whitworth University. Millie and Norman divorced, and Millie moved to Salt Lake City. Millie achieved a master’s in psychiatric nursing from the University of Utah in 1975 and became a nursing school professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing. She met her life partner, Hinda Groner, and they moved to California, where Millie soon became the director of nursing at Friends House in Santa Rosa, thriving in her nursing and management career.

Millie and Hinda had many adventures; traveling abroad and RVing domestically, attending operas and plays, and were avid fans of Stanford women’s basketball (Millie’s exuberant face graced a Stanford ticket stub and calendar). Millie and Hinda celebrated their longtime partnership by getting married Oct. 19, 2008, and they served on numerous charitable foundations and committees. Millie was a doting caregiver when Hinda became ill, and grieved her death in April of 2022. Millie is also preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Pearl Hoffman, sister Shirley Gray, brother Hap (Barbara) Hoffman; and is survived by her daughter, Carolyn (David) Hupp of Green Valley, Ariz., son Dennis “Denny” (Trena) Burt of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, niece Kathy Gray (Carol), granddaughters Tarah (Frank) Boerner and Tracy (Gabe) Foster, great-grandchildren Landon Burt, Elijah Boerner, Reagan Foster, Jackson Boerner and Millie Foster, all of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; close friends Jamie and Erin Dunton, as well as beloved extended family and dear friends.

Millie was strong and resilient, humble and unpretentious regarding her intellect and accomplishments; facing challenges with quiet fortitude and grit. She loved fiercely and lived life to the fullest, whether enjoying quiet days at home with her cats, kayaking, or exploring the Galapagos Islands. Millie was so kind and gentle, and her absence will be felt by everyone who had the privilege of being loved by her.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at 11 a.m. At Christ Church United Methodist Church, 1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, Calif. (Service will also be live-streamed via Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/2rrwnn6f). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Church United Methodist Church (www.srchristchurch.org), Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County (www.forgottenfelines.com/sypport/donate), or Roseland University Prep (www.roselandsd.org/RUP/782-Donate). Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapels of the Roses www.danielschapeloftheroses.com.