Harold was born August 18, 1932 to Philip and Pauline Mildenberger in Carson, North Dakota.
Harold was never just another baby, from birth to August 4, 2022 as our son Brad said, two years ago, “There is 88 years of genius!” Indeed, he was right!
I want you all to know the young Harold. His world was much different than children living in today’s world! I’m sure there are many out there who wish we had a little more of yesterday today!
At 2 years old he puts on his suit, tie, hat and cane and to work he went dancing on his Grandfather’s Bar. When that first coin hit the bar he thought, “Hey, this could be a money maker!” He was on the job every night and the coins kept coming! He saved every penny.
Harold’s family moved to Hamilton when he was 5, no more dancing but he soon found a new profession, the “Little Duffer” got out his wagon and went to work delivering milk and the newspaper. He still had to be finished in time for school. Even at that age he knew math, could take the longest line of figures and had the answer before the adding machine. He couldn’t spell then or now for darn, but he knew how to make a deal at “5”!
He bored quickly of just going to school, he needed to work and make some money. The idea hit. He bought a horse! That horse he took each day to school, think of all the others who didn’t own a horse. So Harold says, “Bring your money, you can always ride.” The kids brought their money, the horse got his exercise and Harold made a few dollars. The teacher finally had to step in, “Harold, I’ve called your mother, she will be waiting for you. I’m letting you out early so hurry home.” Harold hid, the kids knew where they got their ride! You know how the story ends, Harold had to sell the horse! I doubt he lost money on the sale!
He started a club, “The Black Eye Club”! To belong you had to have a black eye! Guess who inflicted the black eyes?!
Harold’s now 9 and in the 4th grade. Mrs. Bailey owned the Roxy Theater and asked if he would like to clean the theater. Of course, he hired a crew, he was the boss! She was so happy with the work she said, “you might want to do the reels.” He could see the movies free and just watch for the dots! At the same time he’s washing cars, pumping gas at the Dealership he bought in 1956 and going to school!
As his business grew his teacher Mrs. Haynes (the superintendent’s wife) said, “Harold, why don’t you take a few days off and take care of your business.” Realize he’s 9, he left school to take care of business and bought his first car! His only worry was what would his mother say!
Now as time marches on he’s 12, he buys his folks their home and his mom her favorite bedroom set. A number of car deals were made along the way. Still going to school, working at the theatre and the dealership, he needed something new. Now 16, he buys a cotton candy machine. He and Bill Clark hook up the machine and off they go. Hit every fair or parade anywhere, returned to Hamilton in time for our fair. The rear end of his car was dragging on the ground because in our day coins were used!
He reserved the special corner spot at the Fairgrounds and put me in charge! Of course I’m thrilled I’ll make some money and get to be with him! Fair’s over, we clean up to get paid a Parker Pen Set (I still have the set). I know the rascal never bought it, he was so tight I think working at the Dealership he gave everyone a set. So my dream of Big Bucks vanished quickly!
Regardless of all his work he played football, fought and was a runner, fast as the wind. It took years to break his records! Then came the Korean War. He and Bill Clark joined the Navy and left January 1951 for boot camp.
He came home from boot camp and we became engaged. He was assigned to the USS Carrier Princeton. Korea bound, then Adak, Alaska, he trained in fighting, winning in The Philippines and the Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage. The Navy realized this kid is too good, so his boxing career for the Navy was born. They trained him for the Olympics for the Navy. (Bob Taylor here in Hamilton was his first trainer and Greatest!) The Olympics was in Helsinki, Finland (the homeland of my daddy’s parents), however, in training he broke his thumb and hand, the Olympics were out. He called me and said, “Honey, let’s get married”! That was 70 years ago, we went together for three years, so we had 73 years together! What a beautiful, fun life we shared! God was so good to us!
Our first year or more he fought in San Diego. The big one was US Golden Gloves Championship. He won and became US Golden Gloves Champion. When I went to work the next morning, headlines, “Mildenberger beats Faulkner,” the story followed! I still have the papers. That night the pros came to our home wanting him to become pro. Harold listened, stood up, shook hands and said, “I fought my last fight. I owe that to my wife.” He never fought again!
His Navy days continued; he flew, ran slush funds and raffles on cars he bought at auction. Played poker on base and penny ante at home, saved every penny, nickel and dime. He sold our car I drove, a 1936 Chevy!
Our daughter Debbie was born, our family began. In March 1955 he was discharged and oh, so happy we returned to Montana. He bought our first Dealership in August 1956. Oldsmobile Cadillac. Then Chevrolet Dealership and third and last, Buick Pontiac GMC. He now owned all GM Dealerships. In his day he was the youngest Cadillac Dealer in America.
Harold was the best with the art of the deal! He loved to deal, be it land, building, cars, cattle or cards. He was ready and the best at all! I’ve got a list of some of his deals; they are over 60 not counting the apartments and buildings or breaking the miles of ranches to individuals. His mind could without hours of pondering make a decision. He sealed the deal. That’s a gift! He never lived long enough to see some apartments in Arizona or Boise. I’m sure he has a wonderful view now! What a gift of energy but I’m sure God is ready. He created him for us!
No man loved his friends more. Our home had always been full of people. Every employee was much more than that to Harold, he loved each and every one. They were so loving to him through his long illness. My love for everyone will last forever. He had to go see them each and every day. Even though the Parkinson’s had taken so much he knew where and why he had to go to Mildenberger Motors.
Now his beloved Ranch Arrow Hill (The Stock Farm) with his number 2 son Brad Hobson, our Manager of 42 years. He always told me if Brad ever leaves me we have to sell the ranch. That’s how we loved and how valuable he has been to us.
So between the ranch and dealership God has blessed us with some of the greatest people on Earth! They are all like extended family!
Now speaking of family, our daughter Debbie, at one year in San Diego, came down with polio, six weeks before Saulk. She fought like her daddy would have, the fight was long and oh so hard but she won! She has run all the hotels we’ve built, handles all the running of the USFS, the welfare, the farm service buildings. Now for the past 22 years been her daddy’s personal/business financial partner.
We made a deal years ago we’d never make our children work in Harold’s business. So Brad had gone on to college, then went to work for Dee Shook at the sawmill Harold and Dee owned in St. Regis. One night the phone rang, it was Brad. “Dad, what do you think, I’d sure like to come home and work for you. I’d be a lot boy, wash cars, anything you need.” Harold asked, “Are you sure, son?” And so home he came. That was 1980. All of you know the love affair of this father and son. Brad fulfilled his job and as time went on it was always where he belonged, so in 1982 he became manager. They loved every day they worked together, plus our family. Brad had been able without a moment of uncertainty to manage what daddy had for him to do. Perhaps, my greatest happiness, Debbie and Brad work together beautifully and still love each other!
Our love gave us Debbie and Brad.
Our family Debbie, Krystle and (Mike) Balduzzi, Aria and Lily. Brandon and (Jacey) Peterson, Moxi and Tryg, Brad, Melissa and (Ryan) Berg, Brody. Katie and (Michael) Brennan, Ava, Nora, Harvey. Ashli and (Garrett) Garnet, Graham. Ali and (Damian) Khoury, Maverick.
Harold’s brother, Jim and (Ann), and their children Scott and (Terri), Brett and (Kellie) and several nieces and nephews.
We thank, with loving hearts, Hospice that gave us such comfort and love and our beloved Heidi Fraser who regardless of time will forever be part of our family.
Please anyone who wishes to remember, turn to your charity. You will never know what that would mean to Harold.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton. Also, we welcome all of you who loved Harold, please come to the Stock Farm afterward to celebrate his remarkable life. We want stories and many jokes as we celebrate a life well lived! See you Saturday the 17th at 3pm at the Stock Farm. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.