Longtime resident Mildred (Red) Knight passed away in Hines, on May 17, 2022, at the age of 95.

She was the daughter of Chrest and Agnes Nelson of Pendleton, and the youngest of five children. Mildred was born in Corvallis, on Feb. 27, 1927. She married James O. Red June 29, 1945. They had three children; Jim, Teresa and Laurie while living in LaGrande, where James attended Eastern Oregon College. 

The family moved to Hines in 1952 after Jim accepted a teaching position, and soon after became the Principal of the Hines Grade School.

Mildred was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest was in third grade. She then worked for Harney County Health as a secretary for several years before moving on to and retiring from the Harney County Senior Center in Burns.

She was active in the community throughout her life. As a member of the Lutheran Church, Girl Scout Leader, and various organizations she was always willing and ready to lend a hand or an ear.

After the passing of her husband, Jim in 1975, Mildred began a 38-year marriage to Leonard Knight. Leonard brought two daughters, two stepdaughters and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren into the family. Leonard preceded Mildred in death in 2015.

She loved the outdoors; gardening, deer hunting, camping and rock hounding were some of her favorites. Spending time at the family cabin at Yellowjacket Lake, just relaxing was always a good time. You knew if you visited in summertime, you’d end up in the raspberry patch picking berries, but her raspberry jam was worth the pick. She was known for her delicious pies and salads and every fall stocked the shelves with her canned fruit, tomatoes and elk mincemeat. She was an excellent seamstress and won ribbons at the Harney County Fair for her embroidery work.

Mildred was a big proponent of higher education. She always regretted that she wasn’t given the opportunity to attend college. She encouraged her children to achieve that goal and foreseeing the high price of a higher education, gifted all her grandchildren so that they too could attend college in the future.

Mildred is survived by three children: Jim Red and wife, Barbara of Prescott, Ariz., Teresa Johnson of Grants Pass, and Laurie Red of Ashland. She leaves behind four step daughters: Nancy Saltos of Longview, Wash., Virginia Rockwell of Redmond, Leslie Blanchard of Klamath Falls, and Claire Agner of Forest Grove. She also leaves behind many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.