Millie was born September 14,1926 in Greenbank, Washington to Arthur and Elizabeth Lanphere.  She was the oldest of five children: Arthur Lanphere, Helen Welch, Gary Lanphere and James Lanphere.  Millie spent the first part of her childhood on Whidbey Island, attending Prairie Center School before moving to the Skagit Valley and graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1945.

Millie worked for Boeing during two of her high school summers during World War II drilling holes for "Rosie the Riveters" on B-29 aircrafts.  After high school graduation, she worked for Northern State Hospital until being a wife and mother became her primary focus and greatest accomplishment.

Millie married Cecil "Whitey" Warfield on January 18, 1947 and they spent the next 66 years together.  They had two sons, John and Brad, who were the center of Millie's world.  She spent her entire life caring for her family through amazing meals, bountiful gardens, and creating a home that was welcoming and full of love.  While Millie was a skilled homemaker in every essence of the word, she was also incredibly resilient to the hardships of life.  Whitey and Millie had two back-to-back housefires in the 1950s while living in Day Creek that leveled their homes, requiring complete rebuilding each time.  Through these hardships, Millie worked hard to not only help restore their dwelling, but a sense of warmth and stability that made their home a place of comfort and love.

Millie had a green thumb and a knack for knowing how to transplant, graft, propagate plants from cuttings, and grow the most spectacular dahlias.  Whitey and Millie's garden was famous amongst family and friends; where Millie's stunning, colorful flowers added the beauty to their handiwork.  Her homegrown bouquets and cuttings made her home feel special.

Her family and friends always said that she should have owned a restaurant.  Her meals were famous and her recipes live on in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She poured over cookbooks and cooking shows to find new recipes to try and loved to critique her creations.  There was nothing better than her homecooked meals with homegrown fruits and vegetables from her garden.

Millie was also a talented oil painting artist, a skill that she honed later in life during classes at the Sedro-Woolley senior center.  She decorated the walls of her home and her families' homes with treasured sceneries of her beloved Whidbey Island, wildlife, and flowers.

Millie will be fondly remembered for her witty sense of humor, her rooting for the underdog, her love of garage sales, and her unending love for her family and friends.  She was an encourager, fiercely loyal, and would tell everyone about how proud she was of each of her family members.  She was the "home" of her family, and she will be greatly missed by each one.

Millie is survived by her brother, Gary (Betty) Lanphere of Yuma, Arizona; son, John (Carrie) Warfield of Bow, WA; son, Brad (Barb) Warfield of Tonasket, WA; granddaughters, Sarah (Steve) Richey of Tonasket, Amanda (Tony) Call of Tonasket; great-grandchildren, Karlie Richey, Brooke (Jade) Ramon, Jaycie Richey, Ben Richey, Audrey Call and Grant Call, all of Tonasket; several nieces and nephews.  Her family was a source of happiness for her, enjoying each one and their accomplishments.  She felt blessed to be able to be a part of her children's and grandchildren's lives, watching them enjoy many of the same things she loved.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents; three siblings, Arthur, Helen and James; her husband of 66 years, Whitey Warfield.

A Graveside Service is planned for May 16, 2026 at 11:00am at the Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley with gathering and lunch to follow at The Barn, 303 East Jones Road, Sedro-Woolley. In honor of Millie, please consider donating to the Hospice of the Northwest Foundation.  Please share your memories and sign the on line guest register.