A North Bend woman was recently surprised by her family and friends with a 100th birthday celebration at Dishner's Fine Foods.
The event was attended by North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke. She presented Mildred L. Johns with a city proclamation to honor her on her birthday.
Mildred L. Johns was born on Aug. 25, 1924, in Wall, South Dakota.
She has spent the majority of her time living in Oregon’s Bay Area, where she still resides today.
Those closest to Mildred say she continues to embody the resilience and love that have defined her remarkable life.
Mildred was born a modest two-bedroom home without electricity or indoor plumbing. Although she grew up during the Great Depression, Mildred and her siblings were largely shielded from the era’s harsh realities, thanks to a self-sufficient lifestyle that included raising chickens, pigs, and cows.
Mildred’s family ventured to Springfield and Eugene – her father looking for work wherever he could. They later moved to Coquille, Oregon, for a mill job, and finally settled in Coos Bay, where her father worked at the pulp mill on Cape Arago Highway.
Mildred attended North Bend High School and graduated at the top of her class in 1942.
During her high school years, she met her future husband, Lester Johns. They married on April 4, 1943, during the height of World War II.
Lester was stationed at Camp Ellis in Illinois, and Mildred took a train across the country to join him. She secured a job in accounting at the military base office.
After the war, Mildred and Lester returned to the Coos Bay area. Mildred took a position at First National Bank while Lester worked his way up from a deckhand to a tugboat captain, where he remained until his retirement.
In 1951, Mildred played an instrumental role in building their new home, assisting her brother-in-law with the construction. It was in this home that she and her husband raised their three children. They had a life filled with adventure – travelling, camping, fishing, and water skiing.
Mildred and Lester enjoyed a loving and fulfilling life together until Lester’s passing in 1997.
In spite of this loss, Mildred’s children and grandchildren say she has remained a pillar of strength and support in their lives.
In recent years, Mildred faced a significant challenge when she fell and broke her upper leg, requiring major surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. Her determination to live as independently as possible has been unwavering.
Her dedication to family, friends and community was palpable during her 100th birthday celebration.
“At the age of 100, Mildred remains a symbol of resilience, strength and the pioneer spirit that defines our community,” said Mayor Jessica Engelke during the birthday event.
The mayor proclaimed Aug. 25, 2024, as “Mildred L. Johns” Day, honoring her remarkable journey and the values of family, community, and perseverance that she embodies.
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