Mildred "Millie" Rakers Armato died September 16, 2019. On Friday, September 20, the Rosary will be prayed at 9 a.m. with visitation immediately following. Reflections at 10:45 a.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Gabriel Archangel Catholic Church, 4727 N. Cleveland Ave., Kansas City, MO 64117. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City North. A reception at the church will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Unbound ( www.unbound.org ) or St. Gabriel Catholic Church.

Millie was born June 17, 1935 to the late George and Katherina Rakers in Ramsey, IL. She moved to Kansas City, MO, on her 19 ^th birthday. She met Frank Armato in July 1955, and they were married June 23, 1956 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ramsey. They started a family and she became a devoted homemaker and mom. When her youngest child went to school, she went to work for Duff and Repp furniture store. Two years later, she went to work for Landmark Furniture as bookkeeper and office manager. She loved being around home furnishings and became the store's de facto window designer as well. Later, she worked in the central office of the North Kansas City School District. She retired in 1997, which gave Millie more time to focus on the St. Gabriel's Altar Society. She served as its president for one year. Millie was very generous with her time and talents and touched many lives.

Frank and Millie built their present home in 1995. Millie delighted in reconfiguring the floor plan with their builder, creating the home of her dreams. She especially loved their backyard where she gardened and hosted parties and teas.

In 2007, Millie and Frank's daughter Laura, son-in-law Steven and granddaughters Mia and Lucia, escorted them to Italy on the journey of their dreams. They visited Frank's father's home in Sambuca, Sicily. Millie especially loved a few days at a B&B in the mountains in Chianti where they toured vineyards and wine cellars. She was in awe watching young artists painting ceramic dinnerware and came home with a treasure.

Millie and Frank enjoyed their retirement years and felt blessed to celebrate 63 years of marriage. Millie was proud that all five of their children worked, obtained scholarships, and put themselves through college. In Millie's later years, the children were devoted caregivers.

Millie was preceded in death by her sister Mary Kathryn Seymour. Left to mourn her loss are her devoted husband, Frank, and children Mark Armato (Laura Elaine); Mary Sieker; Laura Tyler (Steven); Kathleen Armato of Indianapolis; and John Armato of Sacramento. Millie adored her 11 grandchildren: Sam (Caitlin), Hannah, Vincent, and Joseph Armato; Lauren (James) and David Sieker; Mia and Lucia Tyler; and Molly, Megan, and Anna Armato. Her four great-grandchildren are Jack and Harper Armato and Maddie and Jacob Sherman. She is also survived by her brother George Rakers of San Diego, sisters Joan and Elizabeth Rakers of Kansas City, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to thank the exceptional nurses and physicians involved in Millie's care at St. Luke's Plaza Neuroscience Institute ICU in her final days.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com