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Mildred was born July 8, 1933 in Gackle, N.D. to Marion and Oscar Koskiniemi. She passed away unexpectedly in St. Charles Medical Center from complications due to a fall/stroke surrounded by her family on June 28, 2015.
Mildred was always happy and willing to share her living Christian faith. She was a gifted and dedicated teacher. She started teaching at age 17 in a one-room schoolhouse on the prairies of the Midwest and continued her work as an educator into her 70s, teaching in a number of places in Washington and Oregon over her career.
Mildred was well known for her generous hospitality and baking. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a bed, and she was always quick to bring meals and help out with her famous caramel rolls and homemade pies.
She was predeceased by her parents: Marion and Oscar Koskiniemi, brothers James and Glen Koskiniemi, sister Carol Koskiniemi Lindgren.
She is survived by her spouse of 58 years, Kaare Berge of Grass Valley, Ore., and their four children: Sara Berge Emerick (spouse Steve Emerick) of Scottsdale, Ariz., Sonja Berge Chandler (spouse Peter Chandler) of New South Wales, Australia, Gail Berge Gunderson (spouse Peder Gunderson) of Brush Prairie, Wash., and James Berge (spouse Gwen Berge) of Maple Grove, Minn., and 12 grandchildren: Megan Emerick Schneider (spouse Chris Schneider), Kathryn Emerick Nealey (spouse Clinton Nealey), Kevin Emerick, Grant Emerick, Kate Chandler, Ross Chandler, Emily Gunderson, Nathan Gunderson, Grace Gunderson, Corey Berge, Paige Berge, and Philip Berge. She is also survived by brother Byron Koskiniemi (spouse Yvonne Koskiniemi) of Battle Ground, Wash., sister Audrey Koskiniemi Lobbestael (spouse Charlie Lobbestael) of Troy, Mich., and brother Ken Koskiniemi (spouse Peggy Koskiniemi) of Dallas, Texas. She will also be missed by too many nieces, nephews and cousins to count.
A funeral service will be held at the Grass Valley Elementary School, on July 11, 2015 at 11.30 AM.
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