Annie Laura Mikolich

Annie Laura Mikolich, age 94, died Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at her home near Corwin Springs. Annie was born October 10, 1918, in Ivans, Idaho. She was the daughter of Daniel and Emma (Hansen) Benson. She received her education in a one room school house, in Ivans, through the 8th grade. Annie valued education highly and she worked for room and board in order to attend one year of high school in Grace, Idaho. She had to discontinue her education in order to help her family on their farm. Annie and her family moved to Tin Town, about half a mile from her home, to be near her father, who was working as a carpenter on the Mammoth Hotel. She thought that Montana was a lonely place until one day a gentleman cowboy rushed to open a gate for her. After that, she felt like she had found her home. Most of Annie and Charlie's courtship was done on horseback. Annie had said that it was the good looking cowboy, wearing a black hat and riding a white horse, that caught her eye. On September 17, 1938, Annie married Charlie Mikolich, in Livingston, MT in a civil ceremony. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Judith Anne, in December of 1943. Annie and Charlie made their home in Electric, where they remodeled the old mine superintendent's house into a comfortable home. Annie and Charlie spent their lives working hard. They ran the ranch, did custom haying and meat cutting, and had one of the largest vegetable gardens in the area. In the early years, Annie would drive her Model A into Gardiner to sell cream, eggs, produce, and frying chickens in order to make ends meet. Annie and Charlie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary during the year of the Yellowstone Fires. It was quite a gathering, despite nearly having to evacuate that day. Over 200 friends and family joined them for dinner and dancing. Annie considered the celebration the wedding reception she had always wanted. They shared nearly 62 years of marriage. Annie was a woman who valued her community and spent much time and energy volunteering. She served on the PTA in Gardiner, was an election judge, belonged to Extension Homemakers both locally and on the county council, was a member of the Red Hat Society, and the Park County Pioneers. Annie was always willing to lend a hand to friends of neighbors. Annie enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting. Her greatest joy was her family. As a caregiver, she cherished time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a favorite Aunt to several nieces and nephews. Many people have fond memories of Annie's cooking and entertaining; you would never leave her home hungry and she would have an uplifting word for everyone. Annie is survived by her: Daughter, Judith "Judy" Jensen of Corwin Springs, MT; Grandchildren, Chuck Jensen and his wife Jodie and their children Dalton and Bridget, of Palmer, AK; Kim Jensen and Rachel Danielkiewicz, of Emigrant, MT; Gary Jensen and his wife Debbie and their children Kaden and Kody, of Belgrade, MT; and Lori Anne Jensen, of Deer Lodge, MT; Brother-in-law, Rudy Mikolich, of San Diego, CA; and caregiver and dear friend, Shirley Howie, of Corwin Springs, MT. Several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Annie is preceded in death by her Husband, Charlie Mikolich; Parents, Daniel and Emma Benson; Son-in-law, Al Jensen; 4 Brothers and 2 Sisters. Arrangements under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in Livingston.