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Mildred 'Millie' 'Chippy' Durgin
MILDRED "MILLIE" "CHIPPIE" DURGIN
Anamosa
Mildred "Millie" "Chippie" Durgin, 86, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following a sudden illness.
Private services were held at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa, with interment in the Riverside Cemetery. Pastor Melody Williams officiated the services. Friends and family are welcome to peacefully share memories of Millie's life Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at McOtto's from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Animal Rescue Friends in Monticello or Camp Courageous of Iowa.
Surviving are six children, 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was one of 10 children and also is survived by a brother, Henry Langrehr, and a sister, Delores Krakliow.
Mildred Esther Langrehr was born April 13, 1932, in Clinton, Iowa. She was the daughter of Orville H. and Catherine V. Steinger Langrehr. Millie attended school in Clinton. She married Robert Durgin Sr. on May 31, 1952, in Clinton, Iowa. Millie was a mother and farm wife in her early years. In the '70s, Millie operated Millie's Cafe in Mount Vernon and next door she ran an after-school ice cream shop and kids' arcade. Later in the '70s, she and Robert had a tavern in Martelle. She worked many years at Freese Motors in Monticello and afterward worked several years at Nancy's Restaurant in Cedar Rapids. She loved going to garage sales in her Smurf-mobile and was also well-known in the area for the sales she would have at her home. Millie was a dynamic personality, and many people knew her by nicknames, Meatball Millie, Mild Red, the Hurricane and Chippie.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Sr., on Feb. 10, 1993; her grandson, Alex Durgin, on Feb. 5, 1993; her father, Orville; her mother, Catherine; several siblings; and her beloved poodle, Buddy.
Millie wanted to give special thanks to Pastor Melody Williams, Donna Langrehr, Natasha Kennebeck, Joyce Taylor, Crystal Keyser, Dr. Vernon and staff, all of the special people at the Anamosa Care Center, Jones County Regional Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital and Jose.
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