Mildred "Millie" Flavel

Mildred “Millie” Flavel, nee Hanson, late of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2021, with her children by her side at the age of 90. Millie is survived by her daughter Gwen Flavel-Zohner of Regina, grandchildren Angie Wangler of Kelowna, BC, and Bobby Wangler (fiancée Destiny) of Sicamous, BC, daughter Linda Koch of Regina, and son Klint (Linda Young) of Regina; sisters Edna Gessner and Joyce Wagner, both of Strasbourg, SK, and brother Bob (Merna) Hanson of Moose Jaw, SK; sisters-in-law Marlene Hanson of High River, AB, and Pam Holmes of New Westminster, BC; former sons-in-law Del Koch of Estevan, SK and Dennis Zohner of Regina; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Millie was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Humphrey Flavel; her parents Emma and Roy Hanson; parents-in-law Francis and Dorothy Flavel; brothers Orville and Al Hanson, sister Hazel Underhill; brothers-in-law Ken Flavel, Eddy Wagner, Don Holmes, Brock Underhill, Allan Gessner and sisters-in-law Betty Hanson and Joyce Cave; and former son-in-law Bob Wangler.

Millie was born in 1930 and raised on a farm near Bulyea, SK. She was second oldest of seven children with 3 brothers, Orville, Allan and Bob, along with 3 sisters, Hazel, Edna and Joyce. She attended Stoney Croft School. When Millie was only 11 years old, her mother Emma had to spend 2 years hospitalized in Fort San at Fort Qu'Appelle, SK with incorrectly-diagnosed TB or tuberculosis, leaving Millie and her younger sister Hazel to help raise their younger siblings. We can only imagine how Millie and Hazel must have had to grow up very quickly with all the responsibilities handed to them.

Later, Millie worked at various jobs in Strasbourg and area, then in Regina. At age 19, she married Humphrey Flavel and made his farm, near Silton and Glen Harbour, their family home where they raised their three children. Millie was a hard worker and helped with all aspects of farming. She also took great pride in growing flowerbeds and large gardens, specializing in an abundance of delicious tomatoes to share. She also used her riding mower to mow all grass around their farmhome, hillsides and beach area – no small deed but always created a great suntan. Millie loved to cook, entertain and socialize. She taught sewing and cooking in the local Silton 4-H Club. She was an excellent seamstress and created many garments for the community, including grad and bridal dresses. Although raised Lutheran, Millie was Secretary of nearby St. John’s Anglican Church for 17 years, where she also taught Sunday school. She and Humphrey both valued helping their children with many home renovations. In 1980 they completed a huge reno of their own farmhome, removing the second story and adding on an addition twice the size of the original home. Of course they had volunteer helpers off and on. We are sure Darcy, Danny and Del will always remember being on the rooftop helping out and looking fearfully waaaay down on the lake side – quite scary.

Millie and Humphrey relished relaxing at their lakefront property, boating, fishing and snowmobiling, and enjoyed golfing. They were passionate curlers, loving the sport, and they would take younger curlers into their, or his or her separate team, to help teach and mentor younger members of the community. In later years they enjoyed going South on many winter vacations. One of the biggest joys of Millie’s life was her grandchildren and she was able to have them visit many times.  

In 1997, after 48 years of marriage and farming together, Millie and Humphrey sold the farm and moved to Pilot Butte, SK where they lived and enjoyed retirement for 14 years. Millie regularly enjoyed getting together, usually for lunches and afternoons, with the “Hanson Girls” group consisting of relatives and friends. Family was always very important to Millie, immediate family and all family.

After Humphrey’s death in 2011, Millie moved to a condo in Regina. Then in 2014, after so many years since Millie and her sister Hazel had looked after their younger siblings, during the time when their Mom was sick, they both ended up moving into Queen Victoria Estates at the very same time. It was as if life had come full circle for them. They were great company for each other until Hazel’s passing one year later. In 2019 Millie moved to Parkview C.H., a Private Care Home. Millie cherished her family, and loved spending time with all of her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by those who loved her.

Graveside Service will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Marieton Cemetery in early summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to Alzheimer’s Society of SK Inc., 2550 – 12 Ave., Regina, SK S4P 3X1.