Mildred Macfarlane

Mildred “Sissy” G. Loining MacFarlane passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at the Barross Cottage II in Two Harbors, MN to be with the Lord and the loved ones she so dearly missed. Millie was born May 7th 1925 to Thomas and Inga Loining in Duluth, MN and raised in Knife River, MN.  Millie enjoyed attending Knife River Lutheran Church as young girl with her mother and often waited faithfully for her Dad to come off Lake Superior after he had picked his herring nets down at the Knife River dock.  She attended elementary school in Knife River and graduated from Two Harbors High School. In her teen years she had fond memories of winter skating, bond fires, and special times with childhood friends on the Knife River below the old Liberty Store and fixing her next door neighbors hair, Mrs. Nelly Lusk.  She had a love of music her entire life, which began as a young lady playing piano and guitar. After graduating, she and her close friend Vivian Anderson Carter, moved to Duluth to work for a company called Marshal Wells. Soon after, Millie married George MacFarlane Sr. on March 23rd 1945 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Two Harbors.  They had a strong marriage and just like their wedding vows, through thick and thin, they loved each other to the moon and back.  Millie and George were blessed with four wonderful children: Beverly, Gloria, George and Brad.  Raising her family was the pride and joy of her life.  She prepared many a meal for family, friends and the Two Harbors Fire Department when her husband was a firefighter. Millie had a talent in cooking the best Lutefisk but, even being a strong Norwegian, refused to eat it. Her husband George would often say she is the “best of the best”.

In her later years, Millie took pleasure in playing scrabble, doing jumbo and crossword puzzles, shopping, fishing on the big lake, spending time at the cabin, vacationing with her children and grandchildren to many destinations, both near and far, or anywhere else she could go.  Of all things Millie enjoyed most, was family and just being together. Her love was so deep for all of her family and friends.  Her doors were always open, coffee always in the pot, and eggs and bacon always gladly offered.  Millie had a very giving heart not just to family, but also to those in need.

Millie was preceded in her passing by her father and mother, Thomas and Inga Loining, brothers Melvin and Toby Loining, sister Bergit Bissell, husband George MacFarlane Sr., daughters Beverly Cavallin and Gloria Johnson. She is survived by her sons, George (Terri) MacFarlane and Brad (Diane) MacFarlane; grandchildren, Daniel Cavallin, Stacey (Steve) Hedin, Tom (Amy) Cavallin, Ann (Jim) Gilbert, Todd Johnson, Terry (Angel) Johnson, Tracy Johnson, Crystal MacFarlane, Roxanne (Kevin) Frederick, Tiffany (Josh) McCabe, Tanya (Matt) Estrada, Sarah MacFarlane, Clint (Jamie) MacFarlane, Lindsey MacFarlane, 30 great grandchildren, one great-great-grand child,sons-in-law, Don Cavallin and Bruce Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

We want to extend a special thanks to her providers at the Lakeview Clinic and Memorial Hospital, Two Harbors Ecumen Assisted Living, Duluth Ecumen Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center, Lake County Ambulance squad, Cindy Story, CNA’S and Staff at Millie’s final home the Two Harbors Barross Cottage II, Pastors: B. Johnston, J. Reppe, S.Jacob and L. Northey for their prayers and visits, and all of her family who spent so much dear time with her helping her in so many ways throughout her life, which she so much appreciated. Thanks to all.  We will always carry her memory in our hearts.  She was “the finest, loveliest, tenderness, and most beautiful person we have ever known and even that is an understandment.” (F. Scott Fitzergerald)

Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM service on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Two Harbors.  Memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.