Mildred P. “Millie” Anness, 96, Rochester, Indiana, passed away at 12:40 A.M. Tuesday February 28, 2017 at Wynnfield Crossing, Rochester, Indiana.

She was born October 19, 1920 in Peru, Indiana, the daughter of Paul V. and Daisy (Pleasant) Bahney. On February 22, 1941 in Liberty, Indiana, she married Kenneth F. Anness. He preceded her in death in 1985.

Mildred was a 1938 graduate of Peru High School. She went on to complete a business course in Fort Wayne in 1939. During World War II, she worked As a Civil Service Employee for the Federal Rationing Program and she was also a familiar face working for many years at her father’s Peru grocery store.

She and family moved to Rochester in 1954 after purchasing the former A&W Root Beer stand. They  remodeled a lake cottage for a permanent residence on Lake Manitou. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, was one of the early chairman of the United Ministries Christmas Basket program, and other community volunteer programs in Rochester. Mildred also worked many years for Rochester Telephone Company as a telephone operator and for the Manitou Training Center as a Teacher’s Assistant.

She loved outdoor activities which included skiing and swimming, playing golf with the Elk Ladies Club, yard work, bicycling, and loved walking everywhere. When she was indoors, she enjoyed reading.

After her husband’s death, Mildred sold their lake cottage and moved into Four Seasons Mobile Court with her home facing the #5 golf tee on Mill Creek Golf Course. She enjoyed watching golfers from her deck as well as the wildlife year around. Many winters she would spend with her son in Kailua, Hawaii. She would often remark about all the world changes she has witnessed during her long life, and always thanked the Lord every day for her good health to enjoy it. After her son’s death, she moved to Wynnfield Crossing.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Lynn Anness, Florida, two nieces, one nephew, and two cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son, Paul “King” Anness, brother, Robert S. Bahney, and step-mother, Kate Landgrave.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday March 4, 2017 at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Friends may visit from noon until the time of the service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church or the Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center, Rochester, Indiana. On line condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com

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