Mary Elizabeth Millard

Mary Elizabeth Millard, 78, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 11, 2025. Mary was born in Superior, WI to Leslie & Irja (Hautella) Olsen.

She attended Stanbrook Catholic High School while living in Sellwood Hall. She later graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in Economics & Political Science in 1969. While in school, she had the opportunity to spend a month touring five European countries with her classmates and spend a summer working in downtown Detroit where she lived in an apartment on Grand Central Boulevard during the 1967 Detroit Riots.

After college, she moved to Bakersfield, CA where she spent two years working in a winery. In 1972, she joined the worldwide fellowship of AA and leaves this world with 53 years of continuous sobriety. While at a meeting in Lakeview, MN with three months of sobriety, she met Gail Millard who then had two years of sobriety. They married in 1973, welcomed their daughter Maijaliisa in 1985, and enjoyed 33 years together before he passed in 2007.

After they married, they moved back to Superior, WI where Mary returned to assist her father in his ownership of Lakehead Construction and McLain Construction until her father passed in 1994.

Mary and Gail both obtained their private pilot’s license in 1979 and together travelled all over in their Cherokee Arrow. Mary was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work with bringing the transportation and logistics program to UWS while also helping bring the 5,200-foot runway to Superior’s airport. Her love of flying met her love of traveling-in her lifetime, she traveled to five of seven continents. Her most memorable travels were a leadership experience in Vietnam, being a part of the first Superior Sister City trip to Japan where she was also able to connect with those she had hosted in her home while they were attending UW-Superior, a mission trip to Argentina just before Gail passed, visiting her daughter studying abroad in Italy where they attended Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican, and also a mission trip to Tanzania where she had the opportunity for a side safari to view the Big 5.

After Gail passed, she became involved in agility trials and St. Luke’s Pet Therapy Program with her Portuguese Water Dogs. In her final years, she was able to volunteer at Super Bowl 52 & 54 with her best friend, Tammy. She also loved being a “tourist in her own town” with Tammy in her later years.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Leslie and Irja Olsen; and her husband Gail Millard. Mary leaves behind her daughter Maijaliisa and son-in-law Mark Kaarto, close friend Tammy Goodale, stepson Dan Millard, two brothers and a sister which includes her brother Jim (Deb) Olsen with whom she was very close, many other friends and relatives.

Memorials may be directed to Animal Allies of Duluth or the charity of your choice.

Visitation begins at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Bayside Baptist Church, 3915 North 16th Street in Superior, and will continue until the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mark Pavola officiating.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.