Robert "Rob" and Gertrude "Gert" (Salo) Milliken
Images and notes from Gary and Ruth Milliken with contributions from Bob Leathers
Gert Milliken (May 13, 2009, Casper Star Tribune)
Gert Milliken in No. 3 Town (Gert Milliken Collection from Gary Milliken)
Life Story
1910 June 22: Robert "Rob" Henry Milliken was born in Hanna, Wyoming to William Sutton and Rachel (Jones) Milliken.
1917 September 3: Gertrude Salo was born in Hanna, Wyoming to Fanny and Emil Salo.
1940 March 18: Robert "Rob" and Gertrude "Gert" Salo, age 22, were married.
1940's: Rob Milliken played Hanna Town Team Baseball. Pictured below is his jersey.
Hanna Baseball, Gert Milliken Collection from Gary Milliken
Rob Milliken's Baseball Jersey. Now at the Hanna Basin Museum. (Gert Milliken from Gary Milliken)
1986 February: Robert "Rob" Milliken passed away in Hanna, Wyoming, at the age of 75 and was buried in the Hanna Cemetery.
1998 August 1: Gertrude "Gert" Milliken was recognized for the many years of community service to the Town of Hanna.
Gertrude "Gert" Milliken (Gert Milliken collection from Gary Milliken)
2005: Gert Milliken was interviewed by the Wyoming State Archives about Hanna and Elmo.
The interview provided to the HannaBasinMuseum.com website by Gary and Ruth Milliken.
2009 May 8: Gertrude "Gert" Milliken died at the age of 91 in Rawlins, Wyoming and was buried in the Hanna, Cemetery with her husband Robert "Rob" Milliken.
Gertrude K. Milliken
May 13, 2009, Casper Star Tribune
Hanna native Gertrude K. Milliken died on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. She was 91 years old. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hanna cemetery in Hanna, Wyoming.
She was born September 3, 1917, in Hanna, Wyoming to Emil Arvid and Fanny Lydia (Pakikalo) Salo. She married Robert Henry Milliken in Sidney, Nebraska on March 18, 1940. He preceded her in death in February of 1986.
Gertrude was interested in Hanna history and Finnish history. She also liked to crochet and paint. She liked to go for coffee in the morning and visit with her friends. She wasn't one to just sit around, she had to be on the go all the time. She loved all her kids and grandchildren and was proud of all of them. She will be missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her sons, Terry ( Anita) Milliken of Sinclair and Gary (Ruth) Milliken of Farmington, New Mexico; grandchildren, Tammy (Troy) Mortensen of Rawlins, Tad Milliken of Cheyenne, Rod Milliken of Rawlins and Mark Milliken of Grand Junction, Colorado; also step grandson, Kenneth Dale (Suzy) McCartney of Rawlins; great grandchildren, Tyler (Heather) Mortensen of Rawlins, Ashley Milliken of Rawlins, Deshan Milliken of Frederick, Colorado; step grandson, Quinn McCartney who is in the National Guard at Fort Hood, Texas; and step granddaughter, April Diaz of Fort Worth, Texas; great grandchildren, Jadyn Kay Mortensen of Rawlins; and great-great grandson, Wyatt Allen Mortensen of Rawlins; also surviving are brother in law, Earl Dee Milliken of Hanna; and sisters in law, Joyce (Ken) Doty of Fort Collins, Colorado, Lillis Milliken of Pocatello, Id., and several nieces and nephews.
Casket bearers will be, Tad Milliken, Rod Milliken, Kenneth Dale McCartney, Mark Milliken, Tyler Mortensen, and Sean Mortensen. Honorary bearers will be, Earl Dee Milliken, Dr. Duane Abels, Troy Mortensen and Bill Klemola. (May 13, 2009, Casper Star Tribune)
Robert "Rob" Milliken and Gert (Salo) Milliken had two children together. One still living.
2020: Gert Milliken was a local historian.
Gert Milliken was a local historian with great stature and expertise. She kept meticulous historical records and images of the Hanna Basin. Her work is well established on this website through her son Gary Milliken. The Hanna Basin Museum Website honors her for her outstanding contributions to preserving Hanna history. On top of that she was a great lady. (Bob Leathers)
2021 Tuesday May 11: Presentation about Gertrude Salo Milliken at the Hanna 4th Grade Wax Museum presentations. Presented by Kimberly Reno.
“I was a local historian with stature and expertise. Do you know me? You may have heard of me before. I was a woman who loved talking about this town.
Hello, I'm Gertrude Milliken but I like to be called Gert.
I was born on September 3rd, 1917. I stayed in Three Town with my parents who immigrated from Finland until school started. During this time, we had cows around the house and were able to get our own milk. We also had a garden outside my house. We did not have any running water, though.
When I started school, we moved to Two Town and were active in the Finn Hall. When I was little, I wouldn't sit around all day. Instead, I'd go outside all over the town. At the Finn Hall, we danced, put on plays, and watched bands.
Many years later, I got married to Robert Milliken and had two children. Their names are Terry and Gary.
When I was older, I kept excellent historical records of the Hanna Basin and also had a love for Finnish history. I also loved to paint and go visit my friends. I was the King Coal Days parade marshal in 1998.
Sadly, my husband died in 1986. I died in 2009 at the age of 91 and was buried in the Hanna cemetery.
Thank you for listening to my story and have a great afternoon.”
Presenter Kimberly and Gert's family
Hanna Basin Death and Burial Records
Milliken, Gertrude S.
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: “Sept. 3, 1917 - May 9, 2009”
Plot: 389
Born: Sept. 3, 1917
Died: May 9, 2009
Age: 91 y's, 8 m's, 6 d's
Note: Obituary: Hanna native Gertrude K. Milliken died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. She was 91 years old. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Hanna Cemetery in Hanna. She was born Sept. 3, 1917 in Hanna to Emil Arvid and Fanny Lydia (Pakikalo) Salo. She married Robert Henry Milliken in Sidney, Nebraska on March 18, 1940. He preceded her in death in February of 1986. Gertrude was interested in Hanna history and Finnish history. She also liked to crochet and paint. She liked to go for coffee in the morning and visit with her friends. She wasn’t one to just sit around, she had to be on the go all the time. She loved all her kids and grandchildren and was proud of all of them. She will be missed by her family and many friends. (Rawlins Daily Times, May 12, 2009)
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: “Sept. 3, 1917 - May 9, 2009”
Plot: 389
Born: Sept. 3, 1917
Died: May 9, 2009
Age: 91 y's, 8 m's, 6 d's
Note: Obituary: Hanna native Gertrude K. Milliken died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. She was 91 years old. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Hanna Cemetery in Hanna. She was born Sept. 3, 1917 in Hanna to Emil Arvid and Fanny Lydia (Pakikalo) Salo. She married Robert Henry Milliken in Sidney, Nebraska on March 18, 1940. He preceded her in death in February of 1986. Gertrude was interested in Hanna history and Finnish history. She also liked to crochet and paint. She liked to go for coffee in the morning and visit with her friends. She wasn’t one to just sit around, she had to be on the go all the time. She loved all her kids and grandchildren and was proud of all of them. She will be missed by her family and many friends. (Rawlins Daily Times, May 12, 2009)
Milliken, Robert H.
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: “June 22, 1910 - Feb. 20, 1986”
Plot: 389
Born: June 22, 1910
Died: Feb. 20, 1986
Age: 75 y's, 7 m's, 28 d's
Note: Robert Henry Milliken (1910 – 1986) by Earl Dee Milliken
Rob was born in Hanna, June 22, 1910, to William S. Milliken and Rachel Jones Milliken. He was raised and attended the Hanna Public School, participating in sports and excelling in relay running, winning a number of medals. He graduated in 1928. In the early 1930’s Rob joined the Civilian Conservation Corp (C.C.C.) and later peddled milk and eggs for his Uncle Swat and Ann Milliken, hauled coal with his Uncle John Milliken Jr., clerked at the Union Pacific Coal Company Store and then was employed by the Monolith Coal mine in 1940 until his retirement in 1968. That same year (1940) he married Gertrude Salo. Rob was a good and decent man, a very likable person, who cared and loved all his family, wife, 2 sons, 1 granddaughter, 3 grandsons and 1 great grandson. His love for music started first, by playing in the Hanna Community Band. He became a drummer for the Red Devil Orchestra and later played with Mark Jackson's Dance Band which played at the Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain during the summer season. The rest of the seasons, the band traveled all around the state playing for dances. He turned out to be one of the better drummers in the state. He was an all-around sports fan, following the Wyoming Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Boston Red Sox and Boxing. He was a member of the United Mine Workers Local 7404, District 22, Hanna Lodge #50 of A.F. and A.M., American Association of Retired Persons, Cowboy Joe Club, Hanna Recreation Center and the Hanna Seniors Club. The last 23 years of his life he spent fighting for his life, but finally losing his battle to heart and lung problems while vacationing in Farmington, New Mexico. I remember reading a 1928 issue of the Hanna High School newspaper, The Pioneer, which featured the graduates. Under each picture there was a small caption and under Rob's it read:
SMILING BOBBY
RUNNING HIS HOBBY
Rob ran to your side during periods of happiness.
He ran to your side during periods of sadness.
When you needed help Rob ran to your side to give help.
Rob ran the final distance on February 20, 1986.
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: “June 22, 1910 - Feb. 20, 1986”
Plot: 389
Born: June 22, 1910
Died: Feb. 20, 1986
Age: 75 y's, 7 m's, 28 d's
Note: Robert Henry Milliken (1910 – 1986) by Earl Dee Milliken
Rob was born in Hanna, June 22, 1910, to William S. Milliken and Rachel Jones Milliken. He was raised and attended the Hanna Public School, participating in sports and excelling in relay running, winning a number of medals. He graduated in 1928. In the early 1930’s Rob joined the Civilian Conservation Corp (C.C.C.) and later peddled milk and eggs for his Uncle Swat and Ann Milliken, hauled coal with his Uncle John Milliken Jr., clerked at the Union Pacific Coal Company Store and then was employed by the Monolith Coal mine in 1940 until his retirement in 1968. That same year (1940) he married Gertrude Salo. Rob was a good and decent man, a very likable person, who cared and loved all his family, wife, 2 sons, 1 granddaughter, 3 grandsons and 1 great grandson. His love for music started first, by playing in the Hanna Community Band. He became a drummer for the Red Devil Orchestra and later played with Mark Jackson's Dance Band which played at the Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain during the summer season. The rest of the seasons, the band traveled all around the state playing for dances. He turned out to be one of the better drummers in the state. He was an all-around sports fan, following the Wyoming Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Boston Red Sox and Boxing. He was a member of the United Mine Workers Local 7404, District 22, Hanna Lodge #50 of A.F. and A.M., American Association of Retired Persons, Cowboy Joe Club, Hanna Recreation Center and the Hanna Seniors Club. The last 23 years of his life he spent fighting for his life, but finally losing his battle to heart and lung problems while vacationing in Farmington, New Mexico. I remember reading a 1928 issue of the Hanna High School newspaper, The Pioneer, which featured the graduates. Under each picture there was a small caption and under Rob's it read:
SMILING BOBBY
RUNNING HIS HOBBY
Rob ran to your side during periods of happiness.
He ran to your side during periods of sadness.
When you needed help Rob ran to your side to give help.
Rob ran the final distance on February 20, 1986.
(Image by Bob Leathers)