Mildred Said

Mildred (Millie) A. Said, the daughter of William R. and  Florence (Gotter) Hoyt, was born Nov. 28, 1935, in Scranton and departed this life May 19 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

She lived her life to the age of 83 years, five months and 21 days.

Millie graduated from the Scranton Consolidated School in 1954 and later attended Simpson College. On May 13, 1958, Millie was united in marriage to Clifford Said at the Methodist Church in Scranton. 

After their marriage, Millie joined Cliff in Germany while he was serving in the Navy and their first daughter, Cynthia (Cindy), was born while there. Tamara (Tammy) was born in Fort Dodge after they came back to the states.

Through the course of their marriage and before, she had several moves and many adventures. Millie held many different jobs, of which most were in the interest of public service. 

She worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Baker in Jefferson and worked as a nurse’s assistant at hospitals in Des Moines and Fort Dodge. She was an assistant to the resource center at Jefferson High School and helped coordinate the first Special Olympics in Des Moines. She was part of the Welcome Wagon for Sioux City and the concession stand for the swimming pool in Jefferson. She and Cliff co-owned a discount furniture store in Jefferson for several years. Her last job was as the assistant to the activities director at the Manor in Jefferson. 

In all of her positions, she made a point of serving and bringing joy to others. Even in her final days, she lived this way.

Millie was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. She was a member of Jefferson Does Drove No. 196 and served as Does president in 1982. She enjoyed playing cards and socializing with her friends. 

In addition to her career and social engagements, she was a woman who loved to laugh. It would be harder to find a friend or family member of Millie who had not experienced one of her practical jokes. Her laugh and smile were infectious. She was quite the chef and baker — and she knew how to cook for a crowd. 

Millie will be lovingly remembered by her daughters: Cindy Mason, of Jefferson, and Tammy (David) Schuett, of Grand Island, Neb.; grandchildren: Lorelle (J.B.) Hinote, of South Dakota; Anna Schuett, of Nebraska; and Josef (Hope) Schuett, of Nebraska; great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Lily, Malachi and Jordyn Hinote, all of South Dakota; brothers: Ralph Hoyt, of Scranton; Dale (Linda) Hoyt, of Scranton; Neal (Caroline) Hoyt, of Scranton; sisters: Arlene (Ron) Carroll, of Missouri; Clara Haack, of Davenport; Gaye (Larry) Barr, of Scranton; and sister-in-law Beverly Hoyt, of Jefferson. 

Preceding her in death were her parents, Florence and William R. Hoyt; husband Clifford Said; brother Glen Hoyt; brother-in-law Jack Haack; and sister-in-law Shirley Hoyt.

Funeral services were held May 24 at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson with Pastor J.B. Hinote officiating. Burial was made in the Scranton Twp. Cemetery near Scranton. 

Musical selections were sung by the congregation and soloist Lily Hinote and accompanied by Cheryl Nailor and Karen Murphy. Visitation was held May 23 at the Brown Funeral Home in Jefferson followed by a Does memorial service.

Serving as casket bearers were Randy Hoyt, Jeff Barr, Kevin Hoyt, Joel Haack, Andrew Hoyt and David Hoyt. 

Friends and family were invited to a time of lunch and fellowship following the service in the church fellowship hall. Graveside services at the Scranton Twp. Cemetery followed the luncheon.