Fred Mills Memorial November 2024

Fred Mills memorial November 29th, 2024 in Marinette, WI.
Fred W Mills born in April 1942 and died November 17, 2024. He was married to his wife Dorothy for 60 years, 11 months and is survived by 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Fred attended Oak Hills Bible College in Bemidji, MN for 3 years before being hired by Duncan YoYo & Top company to travel the country as a salesman and teacher for spinning tops. He is part of the Smithsonian Museum ‘Toys of the 50s & 60s’ display. Due to his education at Oak Hills he was knowledgeable about the Bible and Gods teachings. He enjoyed theological discussions and sharing his beliefs. As he started his family he settled in Detroit, Michigan and was an engineer for the railroad. He developed many lifetime friendships while in Detroit and with Duncan Tops who kept in touch throughout his life. After moving to Tecumseh Michigan with his family, so they could grow up in a small town, he was a salesman for Snap On Tools and was so enthusiastic about the job he convinced his younger brother to also buy into the franchise. Eventually Fred became a regional manager, training other tool salesmen but decided he preferred to sell directly to his customers and went to Mac Tools. His weekends in summer were spent riding motorcycles around Rose Lake Forest in Leroy Michigan. He was active on the enduro racing circuit and won many trophies. Fred retired at 58 after a heart attack and spent many years recovering in his log home on the lake. Because of his medical needs he and Dorothy started spending time in lower Arizona, enjoying many years of visiting state parks as they came and went, eventually settling in a small town south of Tucson. Fred had many miracles throughout his life. He broke his collar bone while motorcycle riding deep in the forest and made his way back for medical care alone. He flipped one of his tool trucks and walked away. Fred was hit by a train in his van at night in the country and survived with minor injury, there were many times his family was told to say their goodbyes during the 25 years after his heart attack and he pulled through each time. Fred passed peacefully in the hospital after less than 24 hours with his wife Dorothy holding his hand and son Glen by his side.
His remains are laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in Bemidji, MN beside his parents W. Louis & Hilma (Iverson) Mills.