Mary Louise Millbern
Mary Louise Axente Millbern, 76, of Indianapolis, Ind., and formerly of Kosciusko County, Ind., died at 6:30 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 2012, at her residence.
She was born June 29, 1936, in Kokomo, Ind., the daughter of Louis and Mary (Strycott) Axente. On April 27, 1957, she married Richard Millbern who preceded her in death on Dec. 29, 1981.
Fulfilling many roles and wearing a variety of hats, Mary Louise was a faith-filled woman ahead of her time. She was a ’50s housewife and mother, a supporting partner of a career executive, worked at Ace Hardware in North Webster, sold real estate in the northern lakes area, worked at Zimmer, entered religious life with Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, house mother for unwed moms at Madonna House (Kentucky), executive director of Birth Right (Cincinnati), and sales for Gibson Greeting Cards. She enjoyed gardening, camping, playing cards, followed the Cubs and teaching Georgie new tricks.
Mary Louise graduated high school from St. Joseph Academy, Tipton, Ind. She attended Indiana Business College and Ancilla Domini College. She graduated from Anthenaeum of Ohio with a degree in pastoral ministry.
She is survived by two children: Mary (Roger) Haeck, Winona Lake; and John Millbern, Indianapolis; two grandchildren: Kyle Millbern and Katie Haeck; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her sister: Diana Finley.
Viewing hours will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 13, with rosary recitation at 8 p.m. at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Warsaw, Ind. Funeral services will be at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 14, with the Reverend Corinne Hodges officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, P.O. Box 1 Donaldson, IN 46513 or the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1440 W Division Rd., Tipton, IN 46072.
Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse, is handling the arrangements.