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Reta Irene (Mills) O'Neill
• 1905 - 2003 Reta Irene (Mills) O'Neill, 98, rural Norma, passed away on August 19, 2003, in a Bismarck nursing home. She was born on June 25, 1905, on her parent's homestead, rural Velva. She was seventh of nine children born to George Frederick and Rosa May (Curtis) Mills. She attended several rural elementary schools, graduating from Velva High School in 1923. Following graduation, she attended summer school at Minot Normal School, now Minot State University, and received her teaching certificate. She taught one year each at schools in rural Lansford, rural Max, and at Stafford #1 School, rural Norma. When teaching school, Reta roomed in homes of school patrons. While at Stafford, she roomed at the J.W. O'Neill home, where she met the O'Neill's son, Glen, they were married on July 27, 1927. They farmed in the Norma area until Glen's death on March 5, 1965. In 2002, Reta still corresponded with a first grade student who was in a nursing home. Fellow residents thought it quite amusing that a nursing home resident was corresponding with her first grade teacher. It did seem highly unusual but, then, Reta was already 97 years old and was living in the home of her daughter. In 1981, she moved to Kenmare to care for her ailing brother-in-law, Eldon Beem, and remained living there until moving to Mandan in 2000 to live with her daughter and son-in-law. In January of 2003, she moved to the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck, where she resided until her death. At the Care Center, she was involved with the Resident's Council. Besides being a farm wife and raising six children, Reta was involved in the Edson Homemaker's Club for many years and was a 4-H leader. She was instrumental in helping start PTA in the rural communities of North Dakota. She was a member of the Kenmare Band Booster's and served as president for two years, Mom's in Touch, Blind Date Club and the Kenmare Senior Citizens. She was a member of the Pleasant View Church of the Nazarene, rural Norma, until it combined with the Kenmare Church of the Nazarene. She was active in both congregations and held many offices. To quote Reta, "I held every office but organist and pastor." Reta was a correspondent for the Renville County Farmer for nearly 20 years and had articles in many other publications. She wrote her life story and published it at the age of 91. Down through the years, she was a prolific letter writer, averaging a letter a day for a number of years. According to an article appearing in the Kenmare News on January 13, 1995, Reta had recorded writing 10,711 letters since she began keeping record in 1966. Survivors: daughters and sons-in-law, Beverly and Donald Donahue, Minot, Leah Anne Lane, Grangeville, Idaho, and Glenius and Arnold Edinger, Bismarck; sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Dolores, Nampa, Idaho, David and Joanne and Layne and Beth, all of Norma; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; sister, Alice Andersen, Bradbury, CA; special friend, Marge Lyda, Grangeville, Idaho; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Ray, Rufus, Roy and twins, Orval and Oren; sisters, Hattie Redding and Gladys Good; two infant grandchildren; granddaughter, Maureen Greenfield; grandson, Patrick Donahue; great-grandson, Josh Landers; daughter-in-law, Louise O'Neill and son-in-law, Don Lane. Funeral: Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Nazarene, Kenmare. Visitation: Friday from noon until 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare. Burial: Rosehill Cemetery, rural Norma. Officiant: Rev. Ron Newton Music: Congregational Hymns, "I've Anchored In Jesus" and "This Is Like Heaven To Me" Dennis Redding, vocalist offered "Sweet Will Of God"
and "The Eastern Gate" Active Bearers: Reta's grandchildren Honorary Bearers: All of Reta's family and friends |