Mildred "Millie" (Nicholas) Rantanen

Mildred "Millie" (Nicholas) Rantanen, 88, of Staunton, IL, passed away at 6:25 PM on Monday, May 18, 2026 at Staunton Health & Rehab Center in Staunton, IL.  She was born January 22, 1938 in Fairmont City, IL, the daughter of the late Kiro & Anna (Beskidniak) Nicholas.  She married Sanfred Rantanen on April 4, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in East St. Louis, IL, & were married 64 wonderful years before his passing on January 7, 2024.

Millie graduated from Staunton High School with the Class of 1956.  She worked at Hano Business Forms in Mt. Olive, IL for many years, & was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, IL.  She enjoyed traveling with her husband & friends, reading, & needlepointing.  However, her greatest joy was being a loving wife, mother, & grandmother, dedicating her life to creating a warm & welcoming home filled with laughter & love.  She was smart, compassionate, & supportive, always there with a listening ear & warm embrace.

Millie is survived by two daughters -  Angie (Dwayne) Heim of Staunton, IL,  &  Lisa Stieren of Glen Carbon, IL;  one son -  Ray (Debbie) Rantanen of Bethalto, IL;  grandchildren -  Nick Heim,  Annika Heim,  Stewart Heim,  Cami Stieren,  Bradley Rantanen,  &  Ryan Balster;  a niece -  Patty Hunter of Doniphan, MO;  & loving relatives -  brother-in-law Dale Rantanen & sister-in-law -  Sheila Fenn & many nieces & nephews.  Besides her parents & husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law -  Marti Stieren;  a half-sister -  Helen Hunter;  & a half-brother -  Steve Gancheff.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, IL.  Memorials are suggested to either Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton or to Adopt-A-Pet of Benld, IL.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.