La Grande, Oregon
Mildred Maxine Waltman, 88, of La Grande and formerly of Nampa, Idaho, died Feb. 23 at her home.
A brief graveside service will take place at noon Mountain Standard Time Thursday at Nampa’s Kohler Lawn Cemetery, where she will be buried next to her beloved husband, Buzzie. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, La Grande.
Mildred was born June 30, 1918, to Henry and Pearl (Poole) Daniel in McCune, Kan., the sixth of 10 children. The family moved to Nampa in 1930.
Mildred married Cecil A. “Buzz” Waltman July 9, 1934, and they made their home in Nampa. They celebrated their 65th anniversary prior to Cecil’s death in 1999. In 1953 they bought a small farm home east of Nampa, next to the railroad tracks. A historical article lists the house as the only remains of the lost town site of Collopy. Mildred lived there until August 2004, when she moved to La Grande to be close to her only remaining sister and her husband, Wynona and Walter Enter.
Mildred was a homemaker. Unable to have children of their own, Mildred and Buzz were delighted to care for their many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mildred loved to bake, and her nieces and nephews have fond memories of Auntie Mildred’s pantry where they could always find home-baked cookies, cakes or pies. She was noted for making excellent sourdough pancakes, and it was not uncommon for visitors to show up for breakfast. In later years, she would reminisce about the friends and family whom she and Buzz entertained over the years.
Survivors include her youngest sister and her husband, Wynona and Walter Enter; sisters-in-law, Vivian Daniel, Rita Daniel and Susie Murphy; and all those who lovingly called her Auntie. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and eight siblings.
The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending Mar. 3, 2007 Published: March 3, 2007