Mildred Elaine Denter

Mildred Elaine Denter, the youngest of eleven children, was born to Ruth and Thorvald Dahlen, of Haliday, North Dakota, on March 31, 1947. By the time she was 13 years old, Millie had lost both of her parents and would later move to Great Falls with her oldest sister and several of the younger siblings. She graduated from Great Falls High School, attended the University of Montana, and Kinman Business School in Spokane finally moving to Chester in 1965 where she worked for the County Agent and Montana Power. Millie and Dallas were married in 1968, and she joined him as owner of the Hi-Line Cleaners, which they ran for 48 years together, along with her father-in-law, Harold. Through this period Millie was the customer interface and head seamstress performing countless clothing alterations and repairs. She was a key component of the operations of the Cleaners, which was, and to date still is, the longest operating business under single family ownership in Chester. After their children, Denise and Dean, were born they purchased a farm outside of Chester which they ran together for 35 years. They had large gardens, raised thousands of hogs, and dabbled in other endeavors, splitting work between the business in town and farm life.

Millie spent time apart from work and the farm being involved in volunteer and leadership positions at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school, led Girl Scouts, fundraised for Lionettes, and volunteered at the school and hospital. Millie was always active and had many talents. As a master seamstress she made clothes for the kids when they were young and created all kinds of artwork through painting, cross stitching, ceramics and wood working, many of which she sold at local market events. She would not hesitate to take on any kind of project, be it farm work or home projects. She was a competitive Muzzle Loader shooter in the 70s and 80s, winning state championships several years. Millie enjoyed fishing at nearby Tiber Dam with Dallas, working in the garden or flower beds, and trips across the country to see her kids and grandkids as they got older and moved around.

Always placing others before herself, Millie had a way of making her home special by hosting birthday parties, preparing garden grown food, and creating Christmas magic with decorations and music. She always kept the grandkids laughing with her constant jokes and puns and greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Millie moved to the Beehive in Great Falls in June of 2024 where she could receive memory care. The staff at the Beehive would comment that Millie kept them in good spirits, and Dallas enjoyed his frequent visits with her where she would often talk about her childhood and siblings for hours despite her memory loss. When he brought her ice cream treats, he was rewarded with endless smiles and countless memories.

Millie is survived by her husband, Dallas of Chester, daughter Denise O’Donnell (Bill) of Salem, OR, son Dean Denter (Deann) of Eagle River, AK as well as grandchildren Dylan and Dayton (Ashton) Denter and Kerianne and Kevin O’Donnell and a great granddaughter, Avery Denter. Additionally, siblings Charles (Marthann), Morris (Cleo), Richard, Rosie, and Carol.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thorvald and Ruth, brothers Ralph, John, Harry, and Don Dahlen, and sister Helen Chadwick. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday April 25, 2026 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chester, Montana.

Memorials can be made to the Liberty County Ambulance or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where Millie was a dedicated and involved member for decades.

The family would like to thank the close-knit community of Chester and the friends and family who helped in many ways, especially during the later years of her life as she struggled with memory loss and received care at the Beehive. Additionally, the family has an immense amount of heartfelt gratitude to staff at Stillwater Hospice Care and the Beehive in Great Falls for their care and compassion toward Millie and her family, especially in the final days.