Elizabeth Mills

May 14, 1931 -

Jul 20, 2020

Elizabeth Mills of Eklutna, Alaska, died at home, where she wanted to be, on July 20, 2020.

Born on May 14, 1931, in Dena'ina Territory, Anchorage, Alaska, Elizabeth is the daughter of Chief William Ezi, Walking Bill, of Upper Cook Inlet who claimed 2,500 square miles of land in 1951 for Eklutna people, and Mary Peter from the Kenai area. Elizabeth is the granddaughter of the Honored Alaskan Chief Simeon Busdat, William Ezi Sr., of Upper Cook Inlet, and Olga (Nikolai) Ezi from the Lake Tyone Copper Center region where her father was a "big medicine man."

Elizabeth, sometimes called "Liz," was dearly loved, full of common sense and humor. She took care of her siblings after her mom died until she was 14 years old, when she began school at the Eklutna Industrial School previously located in the village. She later attended Mt. Edgecumbe in Sitka, Alaska. The daughter of expert fishermen and trappers, she cut many fish during her life while caring for children, her family and others. She learned to count money at a store near the traditional village among various jobs she held and lived in Anchorage for part of her life.

Liz is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her only sister, Virginia; brothers, James, Bennie, William, Damon and one other; husband, "Sideburns" Bill Mills; boyfriend, Albert Stephan; and son, Myron Stineburg (born Dwight Ezi). She is survived by her brother, Sam Ezi; children, Jimmy, Geraldine, Lundy, Benjamin and Beverly Mills, and Maria (Stineburg) Coleman (born Deborah Ezi) with "Becky" Rebecca Stineburg; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and one on the way; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family.

Services and burial will be held in the Eklutna Village cemetery on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at 1 p.m., officiated by Rev. Dn. Sergius Chocknok. To accommodate gathering restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic a limited number of masks will be available. A traditional potluck gathering will be held on a later date. Thank you to all who have assisted the family.