Geraldine (Gerri) Mills entered eternal life on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Her spirit is carried on by her four children, nine grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

 Gerri Mills, age 94, passed away peacefully after a life lived fully and generously, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with her family by her side.

 Geraldine Mae (Wedmore) Mills was born on August 9, 1928, to Jerry (JG) Wedmore and Bertha (Richter) Wedmore in Chamberlain, SD. She was an only child as her two brothers passed away at birth. She dreamt of having conversations and playing with them and we can imagine her joy as she finally met them in Heaven! She developed a deep love for Placerville Church camp, where she attended as a child, served as a camp counselor, attended women’s camp, visited her grandchildren while they were at camp, and returned to as she needed following losses in her life. Gerri was active in school, taking part in her school play and playing in the band. She was very proud to have had four more generations of her family graduate from Chamberlain High School.

Gerri attended Yankton College in Yankton, SD, with her best friend Winona Mills. Through this close friendship Gerri met her soulmate, future husband, and father of her four children, Burton “Bud” Mills. This tall, handsome, curly haired, blue-eyed blonde Navy Sailor caught her eye on Christmas day of 1945. They were married on July 16, 1947, in Rapid City, SD. Bud and Gerri began their married life in Newcastle, Wyoming, Bud working with his brother Vernard building powerlines and Gerri worked in the Clerk of Courts office. Our mom told us “thanks to your Dad’s patience and encouragement, I learned to cook and drive a car that year!” In 1948, they moved back to Chamberlain to help Gerri’s dad, JG Wedmore, in the Wedmore Hardware store. Soon after their first son was born in 1948, they moved to a rickety little square house “on top of the hill” and began creating what was to become a beautiful home filled with love where they raised their four children, Jerry Burton, Larry Durrell, Nancy Jo, and Vickie Lynn. This home began without electricity or running water. Gerri remembered fondly the evening when they finally got electricity. She was more than delighted to listen to the radio while ironing.

 Gerri was a member of P.E.O, Eastern Star, Extension Club, and the United Church of Christ where she held many offices and served on the State Board. Gerri taught Sunday School for many years and loved working with the children. She was a supportive 4-H Mom, teaching her children skills they still use and appreciate today. Gerri always cultivated a large garden, canning and freezing the produce to keep her family well fed during the winter months.

 Gerri worked side by side with her husband, Bud, at the hardware store. She learned to do the bookkeeping and was meticulous about making sure it always balanced out. In July of 1973, her husband Bud was diagnosed with Leukemia. They celebrated their 30^th Anniversary the year before Bud passed away in 1978. They enjoyed family vacations to the hills as well as camping with Bud’s brother and wife, Vernard and Vi, and other life-long friends.

 Gerri enjoyed spending winters in Arizona. She was already very familiar with an artist’s paint brush, and she quickly fell in love with the art of China Painting, eventually teaching the art at a China Painting Club in Sun City, AZ.

 She married George Benson, a local pharmacist in 1980. They enjoyed dance lessons at the Pukwana Ballroom and their time in Arizona. George passed away in 1984.

 Gerri married Stewart (Babe) Murphy in 1990. They enjoyed the Arizona life, spent many summers traveling in their RV visiting family, and taking their RV to Mexico and Alaska. They were adoring and active grandparents. Babe passed away in 2019.

 Gerri’s shining stars were here grandchildren, Nathan (Lexi) Mills, Tina (Jimmy) Simunek, Kevin (Angie) Mills, Gretchen Mills Pinto, Brian Mills, Julie (Andrew) Coppersmith, Burton “Bud” Renner, Jenny (David) Renner-Meyer and Amber (Kevin) Blagg. She celebrated at the addition of 18 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. They were her blessings.

 Gerri was preceded in death by her husband and father of her children, Burton Mills, as well as husbands George Benson and Stuart Murphy. Also preceding her in death were her father, Jerry “JG” Wedmore, mother, Bertha Richter Wedmore, two infant brothers, daughter-in-law Elenore Collett Mills, brothers and sisters-in-law, and many dear friends.

 Gerri is survived by her children Jerry (Carmela) Mills, Larry Mills, Nancy (Al) Renner, and Vickie Mills, her grandchildren, great-grand grandchildren and great-great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Please join us in celebrating her life Saturday, April 29^th at 2 pm at The United Church of Christ, Chamberlain, South Dakota. Visitation with the family and a slide show will begin prior to the Celebration of Life at 1 pm. Interment will follow the service at Riverview Cemetery. Please join us back at the church following graveside rites for coffee and cake.

In lieu of flowers, Gerri has requested a memorial gift be made to the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain.

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