Stevensville – Minabelle Kerper Milodragovich was a force majeure who lived an extraordinary life.
Born 8/13/29 in Powell, Wyoming, she died on 9/1/2020 in Florence, Montana at the age of 91. She passed from congestive heart failure with her children at her side.
Meike, as she was known, lived life through her strong Christian faith, the love of her family, constant curiosity and desire to inspire others to see and be the best of themselves.
Meike will be remembered for her endless compassion, exceptional intellect and infectious sense of humor. She was a lover of beauty in all forms. Strong willed and steadfast in her life, she was truly complex and unique. There is no way to encapsulate who she was but these aspects of her life are a great insight.
She shared a wonderful life partnership of 37 years with Andrew E. Lee, who preceded her in 2017. Their common interests and life passions in faith, learning, travel and professional work was a treasure.
She was awarded a BA in l973 from University of Montana and a MS in l975 from University of Arizona as an early “non traditional” student, mother of five children. Later in life, she continued to a near completion of her PhD. Education was a cornerstone of her life.
She descended from a long line of educators, lawyers, leaders in social work and the women’s movement. Her career in social work as a licensed counselor was influenced by her desire to understand patterns of behavior and inherited traits. She was an enthusiastic genealogist, compiling 450+ 3-inch binders of our family history. This was a passionate quest to understand where we come from in order to evolve as individuals, families and society. She was an advocate for those suffering and a staunch believer in equality.
She was blessed with 51 years of sobriety in 2020.
Recognized in Who’s Who of American Women
A member of the Bitterroot chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution
A published author of baseline evaluation tools in the areas of chemical dependence and domestic violence.
She had many fantastic relationships with friends and care givers. Her greatest legacy is the devoted love of her children and entire family. She loved and was loved immeasurably in spite of and because of her complexity.
The essence of Meike’s life was a gatherer of the Light.
Survivors include sister Jill Kerper; children: son Dan Elsom and his children, Thomas Elsom, Kristy Nowell, Preston Elsom; son John Romano, daughter Teren Falk, her children: Derick (Megan) Falk, (Daxon, Donovan and Maddix), Dustin Falk, Alisha Falk; daughter Tina Romano, her son Lucas Faudman; daughter Stana Milodragovich (Doug Loneman) and daughter Mila Loneman, as well as a cadre of nieces and nephews.
In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held. A family Celebration of Life will be held summer of 2021. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.