Mildred Eleaner Fine

Mildred E Fine was born August 9, 1931 to Roe & Eleaner Davis, at the old hospital in Burns, Oregon. Mildred passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, at the age of 94.

Born and raised in Burns, Mildred spent most of her life in Harney County. While attending Burns High School and before getting her driver's license, Mildred soloed in an airplane at age 16. Mildred grew up flying beside her father Roe. She played in the band her Junior and Senior year and was a cheerleader of the Burns Bulldogs. She graduated Salutatorian in 1949.

Fred and Mildred were married June 6, 1949. They had 2 sons, Matthew and Michael.

Early in their marriage, Mildred worked on ranches with Fred. After moving to town, she remained a regular in branding corrals. Working the ground at brandings, she later passed the skills on to her sons.

While employed full-time in the insurance and real estate business by Bud Garland, she began volunteering for the Harney County Fair, Rodeo and Race Meet in 1963. She was president of the premium book, open class director, fair board secretary and president. She also wrote a grant for improvements and spent hundreds of hours painting and maintaining the grounds. She retired from the Fair Board in 1990.

Mildred's home was always the family hub and family was her passion. Even during her busy years on the fair board, she would manage home-cooked meals for local and visiting family. She would grab a quick bite, give kisses, and hurry back to the fairgrounds. Baked goods, candy and canned goods were always favorite treats. Her quilts, crocheting, craft and sewing projects remain as wonderful reminders of her generosity, love and talent.

In addition to community service, Mildred spent many hours caring for aging family members and friends including her father-in-law, two mothers-in-law, her parents, her husband and countless others.

Mildred's contributions to preserving history in Harney County are a true treasure. Her lifetime in Harney County, devotion to history, thousands of hours of volunteer time along with a phenomenal memory enriched the Pioneer Days, Harney County Historical Society, the Harney County Museum and the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room.

Mildred received top Harney County honors when she was chosen as the Grand Marshal for the 2004 Harney Country Fair and Race Meet, she was also Harney County Senior Woman of the Year in 2014, and Pioneer Queen.

During all her service and work, no matter what the task, Mildred's appearance was always lovely. She often wore neat, hand-tailored items that she had made. But, whether in a branding corral or attending the Governor's award ceremony, a wonderful smile and bright eyes always made the outfit shine.

Mildred is survived by her son, Michael (Lynda); daughter-in-law Nancy; sister Lola Gibbon; grandsons Michael (Susan) of Wilsonville, Ore, Lucas (Lisha) of Bend, Ore, Wesley (Bekah) Meridian, Idaho, and Jack (Samantha) Ft Polk, LA; thirteen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their children.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Roe and Eleaner Davis; husband Fred; and son, Matthew.

Services will be held on December 17, 11:00pm at the Church of the Nazarene Harney County. Dinner will follow at the Elks.

Memorial contributions can be made to Harney County Historical Museum.