Terrie Lee Mills died on May 24, 2011, at her home in Oak Harbor at the age of 63. She was born April 8, 1948, in Reno, Nev., to Glen C. and Georgia D. Christiansen. She was raised in Sparks where her father was an agent for the Nevada Game Department. Her father took an assignment to trap game in India for a time and Terrie attended junior high in India.

Terrie returned to Sparks, graduating from high school and went on to attend the University of Nevada at Reno. She majored in history, anthropology and education and completed her bachelor’s degree. During her sophomore year she was married to John W. “Jack” Mills, also a student. John completed his master’s degree and the following year they moved to Davis, Calif., for one year.

Terrie and Jack returned to Reno, where John began medical school. Two years later, they transferred to Springfield, Ill., where Terrie worked as a hospital ward clerk. Terrie and Jack moved on to Scottsdale where Jack began his residency. Terrie worked for Social Security for a time and then began teaching part time.

Terrie’s husband established a private practice in Arizona for a time and then moved on to Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho. John had been in the U.S. Navy for a time and decided to reenlist. They were sent to Pensacola, Fla., to attend flight training school. From there, they were sent to Jacksonville and then on to Rhoda, Spain, where Terrie returned to the classroom as a teacher.

Returning from Spain, their next assignment was to Hawaii, where Terrie not only taught, but returned to classes at the University of Hawaii, receiving her master’s of education degree in special education, in 1988. They were transferred to Utah, Pensacola, Virginia Beach, Patuxent River, Md., and finally to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, where Jack completed his final Navy billet at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor.

Terrie worked for a time for the Oak Harbor School District Special Education Department and then moved on to Anacortes School District, where she retired from in 2002.

Terrie was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, First Ward of Oak Harbor, and served as a volunteer at the Seattle Temple. She was also a very gifted quilter, loved gardening and enjoyed crossword puzzles.

Terrie is survived by her husband Jack and daughters: Shawna Greiner and husband Erik of Rockville, Md., and Liene Kelly Wilderman and husband Jay of Fletcher N.C.; by one brother, Glen Christiansen; and by four grandchildren, Conner and William “Billy” Wilderman and Kiley and Danica Greiner.

Memorial services for Terrie Mills will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4. Graveside services will follow at Fern Hill Cemetery, Anacortes. Memorials may be made to WAIF, P.O. Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, Oak Harbor.