Mildred S. (nee Savory) Anderson

Mildred S. Anderson, age 96, of Rockford, Illinois (formerly of Park Ridge, Illinois), passed away on April 26, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois. 

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 23, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1605 Vernon Avenue, Park Ridge with the Reverend Lynne Morrow officiating.  Opportunities to meet the family will begin at 9 a.m. The service will be followed by lunch at Messiah. Arrangements are by Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 South Northwest Highway, Park Ridge.

Mildred “Millie” was born in Petersburg, Virginia, to William T. and Alice (Poland) Savory on December 5, 1921.  She graduated from Petersburg High School and attended Farmville State Teachers College, now Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia.  She married U.S. Army Captain William C. Anderson on October 27, 1945, at Trinity Methodist Church, Petersburg, Virginia. They moved shortly thereafter to Chicago, her husband’s home. She worked in several clerical positions prior to becoming a volunteer and leader in numerous church and community organizations in her long and full life.  She was an active member of Luther Memorial Church, Chicago, and later Messiah Lutheran Church, Park Ridge. At Messiah, along with being involved with all the ministries of the congregation, she had a special love for making quilts for Lutheran World Relief and collecting items for the school, sewing, health and layette kits.

In addition to a multitude of organizations in which she was involved through her children as they were growing up, she was a 50-year member of the 21st Star Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as Regent, Secretary, Chaplain and many other positions. She served as Senior President of the Sarah Orne Revere Society, Children of the American Revolution, and supported her children’s leadership on the state and national C.A.R. levels. She also was a member of the 20th Century Club of Park Ridge; the Senior Center of Park Ridge; and was kept busy as a player in many bridge clubs.

Even after her children were grown, she and her late husband enjoyed attending Maine South High School football games and musical events. In addition, she was well-known among members of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Chicago Chapter, as the “first lady” to her husband’s leadership in that organization.

Millie is preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Anderson, who she continued to call “Andy,” his army nickname for the fifty-eight years of their life together; her parents; and her cousins Henry “Bo” and Leroy Worsham with whom she grew up and considered brothers.

Millie is survived by her daughter Cheryl Anderson Erdmann and son Greg W. Anderson (Vanessa); grandchildren William Erdmann (Stefanie) and Allison McIntyre (Robbie); great-grandchildren Ember Grace Erdmann, Evelyn Joy Erdmann, and Katharina Ruth McIntyre; and her dear friends of many years at Messiah Lutheran Church, in the 21st Star Chapter DAR, her bridge partners and her special friend of over fifty years from across the street Dottie Wilkinson. The circle of friends for Millie and for Bill/Andy was very wide.

Memorials may be given to Messiah Lutheran Church, the 21st Star Chapter DAR Scholarship Fund, Lutheran World Relief or charity of one’s choice. Millie’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the CNAs, nurses and staff of Hunt Terrace of Wesley Willows, where Millie lived during the 2 ½ years she lived in the Rockford area, and to Northern Illinois Hospice.

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