Mildred N. Hamanaka

Mildred A�??MillieA�?i�� N. Hamanaka, age 83, passed away on January 4, 2012.

Most people dream of leaving the cold Chicago winters to lie on the Hawaiian shores. Ambitious Millie had a different Idea.

Millie was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was the eldest daughter of 12 children; she was very involved in the care of her siblings and chores around her home. Millie had to wash clothes for the whole family in a pot of boiling water because they did not have a washing Machine. Millie never resented the hard work she did at home; she saw it as a blessing and a pleasure to be able to help out her family. While in high school she took a part time job as a waitress so that she could further contribute to the family. She became skilled at making Hawaiian woodcarvings, which she donated to the YWCA to pay for programs for others. Millie married Robert Hamanaka and they decided to move to Chicago to make a better, more prosperous life for her husband and children, besides, Honolulu was A�??too warmA�?i�� for her!

Millie continued to set lofty goals for herself and worked as hard as she could. She raised three children and continued to have a full time job. She soon discovered she had a talent for real estate and began investing in houses and apartment buildings. It was important that her family never go without and would often, herself, go without something so that her family would have whatever was needed or wanted.

Millie felt her greatest accomplishment is her family. Her marriage of 60 plus years continued and remained stronger than ever. Even through her illness, she continued to be in charge of the family finances and guided her husband on daily decisions. She was most proud of her children and felt their strength, love and ambition is her legacy.

Funeral visitation Monday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at TeakA�??s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield road, Joliet Illinois. Funeral Service Monday 12:30 p.m. at TeakA�??s Home to Celebrate Life. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.