Mildred Nierman

1922 - 2025

Mildred K. Nierman, 103 years, 7 months and 10 days, a Kennewick resident died November 3, 2025, with her two children by her side at Parkview Estates in Kennewick, Washington.

Mille was born March 24, 1922, in Gilbert, Minnesota to loving parents, Gust and Irene Kangas. She was a graduate of Gilbert High School, Gilbert, Minnesota, Minneapolis Business College, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Washington.

Upon graduation from Business college, Mille was employed by General Electric Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota and then at the Port of Embarkation (Oakland Army Base) in Oakland California.

Mille and her husband (Robert E. Johnson, Jr, now deceased) arrived in Richland in 1952. She was employed as a bookkeeper and then was administrative secretary at Kadlec Medical Center for 26 years; Rockwell Hanford Company; Seattle First National Bank and Westinghouse.

Over the years, Mille was interested and active in community service organizations. She was a member and served as President of: American Legion Auxiliary #71; member since 1949 and current member of Unit #20, Prosser, WA; life member of Cook-Erickson Auxiliary, VFW #7952; Benton-Franklin Salon #479, Eight and Forty then transferred to Wenatchee Salon #246 which she was a member of at her death. She was also a member of the Washington Alpha Delta chapter, Phi sigma Alpha Sorority.

In 1994 Mille was elected to the high office of National Chapeau (President) of the Eight and Forty Organization, assisting in programs of lung and respiratory diseases with an emphasis on Child Welfare. She was proud of her many achievements and awards which included: Secretary of the Year awarded by the Secretarial Association, Alpha Delta Chapter Woman of the Year, Alpha Delta Chapter Sweetheart Queen.

Mille loved to write and was a very thoughtful individual, always writing notes and cards of encouragement and friendship to individuals for special occasions. She and her husband Ray loved traveling, spending the winter months snow birding in Arizona. Her other interests were playing the organ, Bunko groups and the Red Hat Society. As a couple, Mille and her husband were former members of the Rambling Rovers Travel Club. Their world travels took them to the Holy Land, the Greek Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and Fiji Island.

Her three grandchildren and four great grandsons were the love of her life. She loved attending their sports games and other activities during their childhood and later admiring the college careers and achievements of her grandchildren.

Mille is survived by her son Brian Lee Johnson and his wife Cynthia, Kennewick WA; daughter Shari Lynn (Johnson) Vines and her husband, Dave, Loveland, CO; her three grandchildren, Benjamin Johnson and his wife Megan, Kennewick, WA; Samuel Johnson, Wenatchee, WA; and Rachel Johnson, Seattle, WA. Also surviving are her great grandsons, Tate and Dean Johnson, Kennewick, WA; Rogan and Mac Johnson, Wenatchee, WA; her brother Gus and wife Jeanne Kangas Litchfield, MN; sister-in-law Carol (Kangas) Potocnik, Florida; sister-in-law Mrs. Don (Jackie) Kangas and her daughter, Cheryl Kangas, Sequim, WA; her husband's children, Cheryll Marelli and her three children, Gina, Erin and Kyla Marelli, Harker Heights, TX. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray Nierman who died on March 2, 2020; her parents and three brothers Robert, William and Donald Kangas.

Mille was a member of the Richland Lutheran Church in Richland WA since 1955 and has served on many church committees in the past. A funeral service will be held at Richland Lutheran Church later this year. At Mille's request, in lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Good News Media Ministry at Richland Lutheran Church, 901 Van Giesen, Richland, WA 99354.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Parkview Estates and Tri-Cities Chaplaincy for the depth of their caring, the strength of their professional skills and their committed partnership in helping mom crossover with peace and dignity.