Mildred E. Vigoren, 98 of Bowman, ND, formerly of Buffalo, ND died on June 7, 2010 at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Center in Bowman, ND.

Funeral Services for Mildred will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Buffalo Congregational Chuch. Pastor Jean Helmer will officiate with burial to follow in the Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. There will be a Family and Friends Service on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Chapel in Bowman.

Mildred Emily Vigoren was born June 17, 1911 to Nels and Emma (Robertson) Leines on the family homestead near Buffalo, Harding County, SD. The Leines homestead was one of the original homesteads in Harding County, started in 1909. Mildred was the oldest of the Leines children. Mildred attended grade school at the old Sheep Creek School near their home. She spent most of her childhood on the homestead north of Buffalo. In 1922 there was a bus route that took the children to school. They had horses and a buggy and would pick the children up. When Mildred went to school in Buffalo she stayed with different families and worked for her board and room. When Mildred was about halfway through her senior year her mother got sick and had to be hospitalized. Mildred had to postpone finishing the year to help at home. Later she got a job waiting tables, cooking or whatever else needed doing at the Ferry Café in Haynes, ND. She received the big wage of $3.00 per week. Mildred worked at the Café until after Christmas. Mildred returned to finish her senior year, graduating with the Class of 1930. She then went to Spearfish Normal for 12 weeks and got her 2nd Grade Certificate to teach school. Her first teaching job was at the Lone Creek School near Crow Buttes.

On December 20, 1930 she married Leonard Vigoren, whom she had dated while working in Haynes. They were married in the Bucyrus Lutheran Church, Bucyrus, ND, with Pastor S. Engelstad officiating. Leonard's parents were their attendants. Their first home was north of Buffalo on the Ostrander place where three of the five children were born. Mildred did baking and washing clothes for nearby bachelors. In August of 1938 the family moved to Buffalo so LaVerne could start first grade. She kept doing baking and washing clothes for many bachelors. Mildred worked for Bill Fellows as a telephone operator. In 1953 Mildred began her postal career, starting as a clerk at the Buffalo Post Office. She eventually work her way up to Postmistress in 1972, retiring in 1983. In 1980 Mildred and Leonard bought the Cactus Motel and Mildred operated it until 1992, when she sold it.

Mildred loved to bake and decorate beautiful cakes. All kinds of cakes, including anniversary, graduation, wedding or birthday. She crocheted afghans and doilies until her hands wouldn't let her do it any more. She crocheted many snow flakes for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her friends. Mildred was a lifetime member of the American Legion and was the District Legionette of the year 1997. She was also a member of the Congregational Church, the Lioness Club, Birthday Club and the Coffee House. In 1997 Mildred was the Parade Marshall for the Labor Day Parade. Leonard died Christmas Eve, 1988. After falling and breaking a hip Mildred was a resident of Southwest Long Term Care Center at Bowman, ND. Mildred leaves a legacy of 5 children, 28 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leonard, sisters Ida (in infantcy), Norma Lewis, Thelma Meyers, and brother Lloyd Leines. She leaves to mourn her children, LaVerne (Bonnie) Vigoren, Marlene (Stanley) Palczewski, Jean Burghduff, Venoy (Melvin) Stafford & Melroy (Paulette) Vigoren. 28 grandchildren: Judy (Bill) Bean, Mike (Sandi) Vigoren, Bob (Mary)Vigoren, Kathy Durch, Jim (Ruth ) Palczewski, Stanley, Jr (Jill) Palczewski, Nancy (Roger) Tow, Mark Palczewski, Ron (Sheila) Palczewski, Joan (Dave) Wrolsdad, Cindy Dobbs, Kim Jore, Lisa (Todd) Christinsen, Rexene (Justin)Till, Debby (Bill) Mackay, Kelly Bail, Lex Burghduff, Alice Burghduff, Jackie (Jim) Gossen, Don Drolc, Curt (Zeta) Drolc, Dennis (Mona) Drolc, Douglas (Jill) Drolc, Shelly (Shane) Smith, Cheryl (Rex) Burghduff, C J (Brad) Gibson, Rob (Janice)Vigoren and Sherry (Brody) Holmes. 4 step grand children, Marilyn Brucker, Marwin (Mona) Stafford, Marshall (Jody) Stafford, Mitch (Darla) Stafford. 64 great grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren and 1 step great great grandchild. Her sister, Roselle Toft Carter and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.

Mildred enjoyed helping everyone. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and host of friends.

Mildred died June 7th at Southwest Long Term Care Center, Bowman, ND.