Mildred Lenore Prater

Mildred (Millie) L. (Light) (Briant) Prater – Born July 1, 1926 in Colville, Washington, grew up on a farm at Narcisse Creek east of Colville, Washington, and would later move to Colville, Washington. After high school she worked for Safeway where she met Chuck Briant. One-night Millie walked to Fort Colville to dance. Chuck had been watching her, and finally came over, sat down, and asked her to dance. They danced the rest of the evening, and Millie thought Chuck was a good dancer. Chuck took Millie home in his Dodge Coupe, along with his mother and little brother Ken. After that, they always danced on Saturday evenings and went to a movie on Tuesdays. One year later, May 16, 1945, they were married and moved to Addy, Washington. Later they moved to the Spokane, Washington area where they had three children: Patty, Gary, and Charlie (Rick) before settling down in Hauser Lake, Idaho in 1962. Millie worked a short time for JC Penny in Spokane, Washington. Chuck passed away in the fall of 1978. A few years later Millie met Gordon Prater of Hauser Lake, Idaho she invited him for dinner one night and the rest is history they were married in 1981. Millie and Gordon enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling until his passing in 1996. Millie loved to dance and one night in 2006 while at a dance she met Ralph McKelvy. They hit it off and have been sharing life together since. If you had seen them together you would know immediately that they were in love. Ralph was so good to our mother for the last 14 years until mom’s passing in December 21, 2020. Ralph will remain a member of this family he has become special to each one of us. Millie enjoyed camping, fishing, waterskiing, flower beds, crocheting, reading books, and her favorite of all, “dancing”. Millie was preceded in death by her husband’s Chuck and Gordon. Her parents X. William and Dorothy Light, five siblings: Bill, Margie, Lorraine, Noel, and Dick. She is survived by five sisters: Shirly, Corinne, Nora, Nada, and Claudia, three children: Patty, Gary, and Charlie (Rick), and three grandchildren Ken, Travis, and Crystal, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Millie’s ashes will be laid to rest at the Blue Creek Cemetery near Addy, WA next to her first husband Charles Arthur Briant (Chuck) The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support. There will not be a memorial service at this time. However, there will be a celebration of life pot luck at Gary and Janice Briant’s house in Post Falls, Idaho on July 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM. Come and tell the funny stories you remember about Millie!