Mildred M. Tarasenko, 80, Portland, OR, formerly of Minot, died Monday, October 1, 2007, in a Portland hospital.

Mildred Moses was born February 2, 1927, in Drake, ND, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Karpenko) Moses. She was raised and educated in Kief, ND. Mildred was active in sports, especially basketball, where she earned all-star honors. She also assisted her family in the operation of M & K Grocery and served as a cook for her father's threshing machine business for many years. Mildred graduated from Kief High School in 1944.

Mildred was united in marriage to Arnold Tarasenko June 5, 1944. She taught school NW of Butte in a country school for a year. They moved to Minot in 1958, where they ran Prospect Heights Home, caring for up to 10 elderly residents at one time in their home in addition to running a farm operation in Butte. Along side her husband, she gained employment in the H & R Block Tax service in the mid 1970's and assisted him with ownership and operation of the business until selling the branch in 1994.

Mildred remained active in the Minot community. She sang with the Minot Chapter of the Sweet Adelines for many years. Mildred was an active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Minot, where she worked in the kitchen and often took baskets to the nursing homes on holidays. Arnold died on March 25, 2002. Following 58 years of marriage together, Mildred moved to Portland, OR, in 2004. She resided in the Princeton Village Assisted Living Center.

Mildred had a special gift of making friends into family, and her door was always open to everyone. Her home was referred to as "Grand Central Station," meaning, there was always something to eat and always someone to visit with. Her legacy will be remembered and forever cherished. She will be deeply missed by all who shared in her life.

Her loving family includes : Daughters: Connie (Richard) Herington, Portland, OR and Cheryl Tarasenko - Loma Linda, CA; Sons: Ronald Tarasenko, Minot, and James (DelRae) Tarasenko, Minot, ND; Grandchildren: Eugene, Monica, Shawna, Katya; Matthew and Aaron; Ryan; Tara, Bryan, and Brandon; Great-Grandson, Jacob; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Arnold, grandson, Mychal Tarasenko, sister, Ruby Evanenko, and brother, Vern Moses.

Funeral service : Sunday, October 7, 2007, at 2 pm at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Minot.
Interment: Butte Community Cemetery, Butte, ND;
Visitation : Saturday, October 6, 2007, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: Memorials are preferred to the American Diabetes Association.