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Mildred “Millie” Eileen Thorson Mathison of Winchester, WI, celebrated her 100th birthday on April 7, 2025, and passed away peacefully at her home at Henrietta on July 31, 2025.

Millie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Norris Wayne Mathison, and by nine siblings.

She is survived by her nine children: Janis “Matty” Mathison of Shawano, WI; Mary Harrington of Oxford, MS; Jean (Mike) Janssen of St. Paul, MN; Barbara Mathison of Madison, WI; Bonnie (Tim) Rennich of Minot, ND; Sandy Peterson of Appleton, WI; Debbie Mathison (Tim Pingel) of Neenah, WI; John (Cindy) Mathison of Draper, UT; and David (Sadie) Mathison of Duluth, MN. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, Millie demonstrated unwavering faith in God and a deep commitment to serving others.   Her daily devotions were the quiet anchor of her life.  Her deep faith guided every aspect of her life, shaping her into a woman of grace, integrity, and service.

Millie’s greatest joy was her family. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and took deep pride in their lives.

A gifted and accomplished bookkeeper by trade, she was also a masterful homemaker whose skills seemed endless. She baked with love, cooked with heart, sewed with care, and painted with soul. Her hands were rarely still, and whatever she touched—especially babies—seemed to feel her love and strength.

Millie was well known for her exquisite rosemaling, creating hundreds of intricately painted pieces that are cherished by family and friends.  Millie volunteered as a 4-H leader, taught Sunday School, made hundreds of quilts, and partnered with her husband to create beautiful handmade crafts.  An excellent cook, Millie was known especially for her impossibly thin sugar cookies and an ever-ready supply of homemade sweets.

Later in life, after raising her nine children, Millie became certified as a childcare provider and worked for many years at a preschool. Her care and creativity left lasting impressions on generations of young children.

Millie also had a passion for the Green Bay Packers and never passed up a good 30% off Kohl’s coupon. Even in her later years, she loved a competitive game of Rook, Five Crowns, or Rummikub—often playing by her own rules and usually winning.

She was deeply rooted in her community of Henrietta, where she found connection, belonging, and friendship. 

Her children describe her as unselfish, kind, creative, compassionate, nonjudgmental, gracious, strong, capable, and resourceful. Throughout her 100 years, Millie demonstrated integrity, faith, selflessness, and quiet determination—not only within her family, but in her church and neighborhood.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church 8396 Steeple Hill Drive in Winchester with a luncheon following. Visitation is Monday, August 4, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester. A note of reference; the church elevator is not in working order, so the visitation on Monday will be on the first level of the church and accesible to all. The visitation and funeral on Tuesday will be in the church sanctuary on the second level of the church, accesible by stairs only.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church Elevator Fund, 8396 Steeple Hill Drive, Larsen, WI 54947 or to the Winchester Area Historical Society, 5270 Ann Street, Larsen, WI 54947.

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.