Milka ‘Millie’ Jovanovich Clark

Millie was born on March 5, 1928, to Rado and Elinka Jovanovich in Bearcreek. Millie was a twin and the ninth of 12 children. She was very proud of her large family, her heritage and Bearcreek.

Millie has been dealing with dementia for at least the last four years. She could set down her forkand not recall her meal. However, she could still tell you about anything or anyone that had to do with Bearcreek.

Millie's father and brothers worked in the Smith Coal Mine. She was truly proud to be a coal miner's daughter. She would tell the stories about her family being able to walk in the Labor Day Parade for being the biggest family in Bearcreek. And how they would win the ham and turkey every year for that reason. And how proud her dad was to lead his family in the parade, carrying that ham and turkey.

The Jovanovich family, as big as they were, had more love and more respect for each other than you can imagine. One thing Millie loved more than her siblings was their children. She had numerous nieces and nephews and a place in her heart for each one of them, with unconditional love for all.

Millie loved to go dancing as a young lady. From Red Lodge to Bridger, Belfry to Billings, she would be tearing up the dance floors on Saturday nights.

She met her lifelong dance partner Wilbur Clark on a blind date, and could they dance. The dancing was put on hold and Millie waited for Wilbur as he was called to the Korean War.

When he came home, the dance started again. They were married on Sept. 24, 1956. They started their life together in Provo, Utah, and Laramie, Wyo. They were only there a short time and made Billings their home.

She worked for a short time as a secretary for Saltcreek Frt.Way until she became a very full-time mother and homemaker.

Wil and Millie had three sons: Randy, Bob and Rick.

Millie's house was always spotless. Her yard and flowers made the newspaper and Billings Bright 'n' Beautiful on several occasions, and her Christmas lights won many awards.

She worked very hard to give her husband and boys a good home. She still managed to find time for the 9 a.m. daily coffee with the "neighborhood ladies."

Mom's heart and faith were tested several times as she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur; her son, Bob; her parents; nine brothers and sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

She is survived by sons Randy (Kori), Rick (Jacquie); brother George (Alice) Jovanovich; sister Olga (Ron) May; grandsons Cy and Cooper; granddaughter Barbara; four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews; and last, but not least, Cooper's mom, Tina Hamm.

The family would like and needs to thank the wonderful staff at Expressions at Grand Park for the care and friendship they've given Millie her last years.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 21, with funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, both at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Interment will follow in Mountview Cemetery.