Millie Hulkovich, 77, of Akron, Colorado passed away Friday, August 13, 2021, after a lengthy but courageous battle with cancer.

Mildred Ruth Stroup, known as Millie, was born on June 9, 1944 in Holyoke, Colorado to Evelyn Bergner and William (Bill) Stroup.   She spent her early years in Haxtun, Colorado and later moved to a ranch in Simla, Colorado where she graduated from High School in 1962.

Millie was blessed with two beautiful children in her life.  Lawanda Harding born on July 24, 1974 in La Mesa, California.  And Kyle Harding born on August 26, 1982 in Ketchikan, Alaska.  Millie and her family spent seventeen years in Alaska where she raised her children and worked as a resort manager.

Millie moved to Akron in the early 1990's where she met the love of her life, Butch Hulkovich while she was working at Doc's Bar.  After a short courtship they both knew what they wanted to do and they were married on November 18, 1995 in a quaint little bar in the basement of the Akron Vet's Club, right next to the pool table.  Little did she know that shortly after their nuptials, Millie and Butch would make their wedding venue their newest venture by opening Millie's Place, right there in the quaint little bar in the basement of the Akron Vets Club.

Millie's Place was THE PLACE to be from 1996 to 2010.  There Millie hosted countless birthdays, dances, super bowl parties, and just about anything anyone wanted to celebrate.  She was at her best behind the bar with Butch and the lucky bartenders that got to work beside her.  She was quick with a cold beer or mixed drink and was always ready to listen, or laugh with whomever came down.  Invariably she was there with a soft shoulder to cry on or was ready and willing to be your number one fan, just whatever you needed when they were at Millie's Place. Many people referred to Millie as mom or momma, because that is who she would become as she served the people she loved.

After selling the bar, Millie spent a little time working at the Chalet on Main St as a waitress and then at Grasshopper Liquor before she finally retired and spent the rest of her days with her loves, Butch, the pups, and anyone who wanted to sneak by for a cold beer or a hot cup of coffee.

Millie was preceded in death by her mother Evelyn Freemyer-Higgins, stepdad Austin Higgins, brother Jim Freemyer, and stepson Paul Hulkovich III.

Millie is survived by her husband, Butch Hulkovich, daughter Lawanda (Tim) Foster of Greeley, son Kyle (Jenn) Harding of Akron, stepdaughter Mandi (Brad) Deselms of Lander WY, stepson Jeff (Maria) Hulkovich of Lander WY, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the Akron Cemetery Gazebo at 1:00 p.m.  Inurnment will follow at the Akron Cemetery.   Memorials for Millie can be made to David Walsh Cancer Clinic in Sterling, Colorado.