Obituary: Toni R. (Pankow) Mills

OREGON - Toni R. (Pankow) Mills, age 68, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, June 16, 2011.

She was born Feb. 7, 1943, in Madison, the daughter of Oscar and Genevieve Pankow. She grew up in Madison, raised by Oscar and Pat Pankow, surrounded by many brothers and sisters. Toni graduated from Madison Central High School. She worked many years as a waitress in and around Madison and Oregon, priding herself on remembering her customers. Toni later retired from University Hospital in 2010 after seven years of service. She enjoyed her times spent at Ho-Chunk and her recent trip to Las Vegas. She enjoyed fishing, reading, and had a fabulous recipe for creamed onions, and anyone that has had them will remember.

Toni is survived by two children, Brad ( Eda) Gronli, of Apopka, Fla., and Denise (Dana) Terrian, of McFarland; ex-husband and friend, Doug Gronli; grandchildren, Christopher (Hannah) Froeschle, Patrick (Jeanette) Froeschle, Derek Terrian; great-grandchildren, Cassandra (Scott), Skyler, Liam and Zoe; great-great granddaughter, Ayla; brothers, Richard, Robert (Helga), Ronald (Carol), Kenneth and Terry Pankow; sisters, Jan Ware, Sandra (Richard) Anderson, and Marlene Pankow; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Larry; sisters-in-law, Sally Gronli-Evans and Gay Anne Frappier; brothers-in-law, Richard Buss and Dennis Gronli; friend, Jeannie Gronli; and a son-in-law, Paul Putnam.

A memorial gathering will be held at ALL FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 4058 Lien Road, Madison on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 19, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Note: Toni Pankow's class year is based on information in the 1961 Tychoberahn, where she is pictured amongst the graduating seniors.