Joann Evans Mills

JoAnn Evans Mills, 77, of Hamilton went to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday night, August 20, 2011. She died of natural causes at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana.

JoAnn was born January 1, 1934, to William and Mildred Evans in Lisbon, Ohio. Born the oldest of five children into a military family - her father was a Colonel in the U.S. Army- she lived in many of the states and in France and Germany during her formative years.

JoAnn was married to Richard E. McLaughlin in 1951 and that union produced three children: Mildred Lynn, Kevin Richard and Julie Anne.

In 1966, she married the love of her life and husband of forty five years, W. Steve Mills, and in 1971 they and the children moved to Hamilton, Montana. They bought acreage, and this "city couple" thoroughly enjoyed learning about cattle, horses, pigs, gardening, canning and many other things connected with living in rural Western Montana. They counted it all JOY! Kevin and Julie completed High School in Montana, and Lynn got her own apartment in Missoula.

JoAnn loved homemaking, and her children and her church. She and Steve also loved traveling, and did so allover the United States in their fifth wheel trailer and pick-up truck. She enjoyed swimming, reading, sewing, and hiking. JoAnn felt her grandchildren were God's very special blessings in her life and so enjoyed being involved in their lives. Her time spent at Glacier Bible Camp and all her special friends and the good times they had there were especially precious to her. JoAnn felt the Lord poured abundant blessings into her life and she was well satisfied with her time here on earth, but knew the best was yet to come with Jesus her Lord and Savior.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her father and mother.

Survivors include her siblings Bill Evans, Susan Evans, David Evans, and John Evans; her husband Steve and his children, Stephen (Ellise), Craig (Anita), and Scott (Lisa) Mills; her children Lynn McLaughlin, Kevin (Jana) McLaughlin, and Julie (Jeff) Huls; her grandchildren Nathan McLaughlin, Alissa McLaughin, Spencer (Katie) Huls, Sarah (Jeremy) Nielsen, Amos (Meredith) Huls, Shane (Rachael) Huls, Justin Mills, Shauna Mills, Sarah Mills, Austin Mills, Lydia Mills, Hannah Mills, Ashley Mills, Taylor Mills, and Jared Bence; and her great grandchildren Eon Thorne, Jillian Huls, Taylor, Aric and Ascha Nielsen, Brighton Huls, Kylyann Mills, Olivia and Ava Todd, and Gabe Condra.

The family would like to express their heart felt thanks to the ICU staff and Emergency Room staff at St. Patrick's hospital for their kindness, love and encouragement. Their combination of expertise and tender care was outstanding and deeply appreciated. JoAnn came to love each of you.

The family requests that memorials be made to Glacier Bible Camp, c/o Hamilton Assembly of God Church or a charity of your choice.