Millie Maxine Elbrader

Mildred Maxine Elbrader, known to everyone as "Millie", was called home to the Lord on December 7, 2025. Her legacy is her joy for life, a very sweet and kind soul that was deeply loved by her children family and friends as evidenced by her love of family, countless friendships and many quilts that brought her such happiness in the process.

Millie was born July 22, 1935 in Boyd, Montana to parents Leroy and Edith Shorten. She lived in Joliet, Montana with her parents and siblings, Doris and Gary, until age 7, then moved to Pocatello, Idaho and lived there until she was 18. Millie married her sweetheart Duane Elbrader December 21, 1952, while he was home on a three week leave from the Air Force, and a few months before she graduated from Pocatello High School. With Duane in Germany after their marriage, Millie lived with her parents when their first child was born, Ricky Duane, and took care of him solo until Duane could join them a year and a half later! They welcomed three additional children, Teri May, Roger Leroy and Michael Eugene, all in California. Eventually they settled in Colorado in 1966, residing in Westminster, Golden, Evergreen, Applewood, LaPorte, Fort Collins, Palisade and Windsor.

Millie devoted her life as a homemaker, known for her fantastic homecooked meals and amazing sewing skills. A specialty of hers was Christmas Canes, a delicious pastry shaped like a candy cane, that she made on Christmas morning. She had a special flare for sewing, making special clothing for her family and items for the home. Later in life, she became an expert quilter, piecing together fabrics and sharing her love of the craft with many friendship circles. Her home was always a source of pride and she loved hosting family and social gatherings. Millie worked outside the home as well, from taking in ironing and childcare (along with four of her own), to a receptionist job for the Bureau of Mines and various retail positions. Duane and Millie also owned Four Seasons Log Homes in LaPorte CO for a period of time.

Most recently, Millie was living at Rigden Farm Senior Community in Fort Collins where she had a number of special friends and was loved by all. She especially liked playing bingo and Hand and Foot, and looked forward to dinner every night with the gals at her table. Millie was a very special lady, and her many friends, relatives and even caregivers will tell you that she was a sweetheart who loved to laugh.

Millie favored berry reds, deep greens and golds in her quilting. Her favorite flower was the white daisy. She loved the mountains, the changing seasons and enjoying a meal outside. Think of her when you are touched by these things in your life.

Surviving Millie are three children, Teri (Roger), Roger (Karen) and Michael; daughter-in-law Debbie; seven grandchildren, Ashleigh (Steve), David, Jennifer (Josh), Lyla, Cody, Jeremy and Jesse; and eight great-grandchildren. Special nieces Brenda and Shelli are also left behind. She is proceeded in death by her parents, siblings Doris and Gary, her husband of 67 years, and son Rick.