Mildred Crocker

Mildred Mary Crocker, age 98, Topeka, passed away at her home August 3, 2007. Mildred was born on February 14, 1909, in Maple Plains, Wisconsin, the daughter of William T. and Millicent Zane Johnson Johnston. When she was a baby, her family moved to St. Louis, Mo. Her parents both passed away by the time she was 11. Her eldest sister, Fannie, raised Mildred and her brothers and sisters in their family home in Abingdon, Illinois.

Mildred graduated from Abingdon High School. After high school, she graduated from Brown Business College in Galesburg, Illinois. She then worked for Illinois Power and Light as a secretary. She was introduced by cousins to Frank B. Crocker from Topeka, Kansas on a blind date. On his return visit, he proposed and they were married two years later on Sept. 25, 1929 in Abington, Illinois. After their honeymoon, they resided in Topeka, KS. Mildred worked as a bookkeeper for her husband at Crocker's Farm Dairy and Crocker's Plantation Dairy before they had their first child.

Mildred was a loving and gentle wife, mother and grandmother with a fun and easy going personality. She enjoyed her home and family. She loved to garden, exercise and go antiquing. Over the years she participated in several weekly bridge clubs. Mildred and Frank traveled the USA before retirement and after retirement traveled with the Topeka Travel Club and the Mulvane Art Travel Club to foreign destinations. Mildred was a member of the First Christian Church and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, in Oct. 2000. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Robert Johnston, Claire Johnston, William Johnston and sisters, Fannie Johnston, Laura Giberson and Jane Bugg. Survivors include a son, Gary Crocker, of Topeka; a daughter, Bonnie Howard and her husband, Warren Howard of Topeka; grandson, Trevor Howard and wife, Lori, of Tulsa, OK; great grandchildren, Blair Howard and Evan Howard; a grandson Shannon Howard and his wife, Kristy, of Appleton, WI; great grandchildren Josh Howard, Madi Howard and Grace Howard.

Mildred will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel after 2PM, Wednesday, August 8. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM, August 8 at the funeral home. At 10:00 AM Graveside service will be held at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 6th and Gage on Thursday, August 9th.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heart of America Hospice, 3715 SW 29, Topeka, KS. 66614. We would like to thank the many loving home heath care givers who have cared for our Mother, allowing her to stay in her own home the last few years.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com