Wade Arden Mills

Wade Arden Mills was born October 28, 1961, at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, to Edwin and Gloria (Anderson) Mills. He was baptized in Avoca, Iowa at First Lutheran Church and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa. He graduated from Harlan Community High School. In 1982 Wade graduated from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture.

Wade enjoyed farming with his dad (Edwin Mills). He was active in 4-H, FFA, Pork Producers of Iowa, and Young Farmers of America. He enjoyed several fishing trips with friends and his family to Minnesota.

Wade Mills joked how Hollie Hansen was his stalker. On December 11, 1982, he was united in marriage to Hollie Mae Hansen. They lived on a farm near Harlan, Iowa. After farming for 18 years, they purchased Sand Bay Resort (a fishing resort) located in Battle Lake, Minnesota, running it for 16 years. Customers enjoyed his black coffee that was thick as mud in the morning before embarking on their own adventures. Living on the fishing resort, Wade always had the largest fish. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, they sold the Resort and retired to Cape Coral, Florida.

Diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer in March of 2023, Wade and Hollie moved to Brenham, Texas, in October of 2023 where Hollie currently resides. Wade loved delivering the children’s sermon at Abiding Word Lutheran Church where their son, Rev. Cody Mills, is the pastor. Wade and Hollie also became active bird (and squirrel) watchers while sitting at the kitchen table and enjoyed singing, humming, and praising the Heavenly Father.

Wade passed away May 15, 2025, in Baylor Scott and White of Brenham, Texas. The family is thankful for Brazos Valley Hospice staff and the staff at Baylor Scott and White.

Wade is survived by: his wife of 42 years Hollie Mills of Brenham, Texas; father Ed Mills and wife Shelia (Gulitz) Mills of Harlan, Iowa; sons Cody Mills of Brenham, Texas; Casey (Kaley Getzlaff) of Westhope, North Dakota; and Kyle (Macaylee Qual) of Hawley, Minnesota. Wade was very proud of each of them. His pride and joy were his grandkids: Eleanor, Elsie, Malancthon, Malachi (Cody); Mills; Sawyer, Hudson, and Fletcher (Casey and Kaley) Mills; Hanna Qual (Kyle and Macaylee (Qual) Mills.

Wade is also survived by: sisters Denise Broveak of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sherry (Gaige) Lytle of Harlan, Iowa, and brother Kevin (Lori) Mills of Harlan, Iowa, and several nephews, nieces, other family members, and friends.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.