Obituary of Mildred Worden

Worden, Mildred “Millie” (Dennis)

Midland, Michigan

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed to a new life on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the Masonic Pathways in Alma. She was 96 years old. Mildred Dennis was born on February 1, 1925 in Clayton Twp., Michigan to the late William D. and Margaret (Jamison) Dennis. She grew up with her two sisters: Betty (Dennis) Irish (deceased) and Barbara (Dennis) (Ross) Ekwall. She married William J. Grundner Sr. (deceased) in 1945. They shared four children, Margaret (Maggie) Francis Hart, Katherine (Dennis) Loyer, W. John Grundner Jr. (deceased) and Robert H. (Bubba) Grundner (deceased). She married Albert L. Pelletier and their marriage added two stepsons, Peter (deceased) and Louie (Mary) Pelletier. Albert preceded her in death in 1990. Millie married William T. Worden in 1992 which brought her to California. He passed in 1996.

For over 50 years Millie was a member of the Eastern Star. During WWII she worked for Bush Development Company that made the valve guards for the P40 fighter planes. After staying home to raise her children and be the person neighbors went to for all types of support, Millie took a position at Valley Oxygen in Bay City where she stayed for many years, remaining in close contact with Mark Jaffe. Millie will be fondly remembered for her quick wit, her contagious smile and loving compassion. A true caregiver.

Millie loved All her children. She did not define them with the words step or in-law, they were “my kids.” Included in that love are the spouses. Debra Grundner, Dennis Loyer Sr., and Mary Pelletier; the ex-spouses Millie kept in her heart and in her life, Kellin Francis, Ardus (Pelletier) Jackson, and Shawne (Grundner) Haddad.

Millie was gifted with many grandchildren. Michelle Francis (Guy) Bergstrom, Judi Francis (John) Lund, Dennis (Sara) Loyer Jr., Jennifer Loyer, Amanda Grundner (Ryan) Philipp, Tara Grundner, Levi (Kristy) Grundner and Evan (Alyssa) Grundner, Dawn (Pelletier) Jackson and Rebecca (Pelletier) Jackson; and many great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.

Millie was known to use her index finger when giving advice to each of them. That finger became known as “The finger”. She also dispensed lots of hugs and reminded each of them how very special they were and how much she loved them.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: A memorial service for Millie will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2022 at St. John Episcopal Church, 405 N. Saginaw Road, Midland, MI 48640. Fr. Jim Harrison will officiate. Burial of Millie’s cremated remains will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, 333 N. Summit St. P.O. Box 10086, Toledo, Ohio 43699. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com