Gardner, Mildred Anne Seery

Mildred Anne Seery Gardner, 87, formerly of 618 27th St. NE, was welcomed into the arms of Our Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, after she died at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy due to complications from a fall. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Matthew Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas McDermott presiding. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit from 3 to 6:30 p.m., and again after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Millie is survived by a son, Robert Scott Gardner of Cedar Rapids; a sister-in-law, Jean Seery; two brothers-in-law, Ivan (Bonnie) Gardner and Frank (Mary) Gardner; and many nieces and nephews.

Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert V. Gardner; her parents, Joseph and Blanche Seery; two brothers, Joseph and Francis Seery; and three sisters, Bonita Gruver Wolf, Dorothy Knapp and Bette Sudderberg.

Millie was born Jan. 3, 1922, in Monti, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Blanche Duffy Seery. She attended St. John Grade School in Ryan and then graduated from Coggon High School. After moving to Cedar Rapids and graduating from Cedar Rapids Business College, she worked as a secretary for John Hahn, Attorney, and then as a key punch operator for the Allis Chalmers Co. On Nov. 8, 1952, she married Robert V. Gardner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He died in 1986.

Millie devoted her life to raising their son, assisting her husband with his business, Gardner and Company Real Estate, and serving as an active volunteer for St. Matthew Catholic Church and School. Her unwavering faith in God, her deep prayer and spirituality, and her great kindness and compassion touched the lives of so many people. She always tried to live in the present moment, and - in the spirit of Mother Teresa - she humbly did the ordinary things in life with great love.

Millie will be deeply missed, but her strong faith and gentle spirit live on in the hearts she leaves behind.

Memorials may be made in Millie's name to St. Matthew Catholic Church, Holy Family Catholic Schools of Cedar Rapids, St. Vincent DePaul Society, or may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at