Mildred Helene “Blondie” Wilder was born April 9, 1924 in northern Norway, to Nels and Selma Pederson. In 1927, Nels and Selma along with Mildred and her brothers Asle and Halvard, immigrated to America settling in McKenzie County, North Dakota. She attended Horse Creek School and graduated from Sidney High School in 1942.
Mildred married Tod Wilder on September 3, 1949. They had two children, Renee and Tom. Blondie worked as a bookkeeper/secretary for many years. She recorded Richland County births and deaths, and worked for a CPA doing taxes. Blondie enjoyed gardening in the summer and sewing aprons and quilting in the winter.
Mildred was very proud of her Norwegian heritage, and was a charter member of Sidney Sons of Norway. Forty-three years after leaving Norway, she took her family there. She was reunited with her cousins and an aunt.
Mildred passed away July 22, 2020 under hospice care at Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, North Dakota.
Mildred is survived by; her daughter, Renee (Lynn) Septon; her grandsons; Patrick (Kendall), and Michael (Jessica); her great-grandchildren, Avery, Gavin, and Claire.
Mildred is preceded in death by; her husband, Tod Wilder; her son, Tom Wilder; her sister, Borgney Simonis; her brothers, Asle and Halvard Pederson; her nephews, Johnny Pederson and Kent Simonis.