Mildred W. Taber

MILDRED W. TABERage 89 of Elburn, passed away unexpectedly at the Graham Memorial Hospital, Canton, IL where she had recently come to make her home near her family.BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born May 16, 1918 near Virgil on the former Downing farm, the daughter of Swedish immigrants Carl and Clara (Magnusson) Swanson. The family made their home on several area farms around the Wasco-Lily Lake area where Mildred was confirmed at the Grace Lutheran Church and became was a life-long member. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONShe attended country schools and following graduation from high school, she became involved in the Nurses Cadet Corps during WWII. As a young woman she worked in the community as a nanny and housekeeper for several families. The experience brought out the "natural nurse" in Mildred and inspired her to pursue her nursing certificate at the Copley Hospital School of Nursing, Aurora. She graduated with the class of 1947 and began working at Copley Hospital. Thoughtful, sweet and caring yet always organized and able to lead, "Millie’s" character and personality suited her perfectly for a career in nursing. As a head nurse at Copley, "Millie" served proudly for twenty-eight years until retiring in 1975. MARRIAGE & FAMILYOn November 26, 1960 she was united in marriage to Leland O. Taber. They made their home in Aurora until 1987 when they moved to Elburn. At home, "Millie" was very fond of her cats, "Taffy" and later, "Dolly". She enjoyed the company of family and friends and remained especially close to her nieces, Sharyn and Sandra, who looked forward each summer to spending time with Millie and taking trips into Chicago. "Millie" stayed in touch with friends at Copley Hospital through the years and enjoyed outings with her life-long friends at Grace Lutheran Church. SURVIVORS She is survived by one brother, Carl R. Swanson of Elburn;Two sisters: Esther Shelton of Elburn, (currently of Canton, IL) and Alice (Roy) Pinegar of Canton.Two nieces:Sharyn (Dr. John) Baker of Moline, IL andSandra (Dan) Ihnes of Canton, IL;One great-niece: Kristine (Fred "Sonny") Kunchick;Three great nephews:Douglas (Jen) Baker;Theodore (Melissa) Baker;Nathan Ihnes (fiancee- Pam Baumer) ;One great-great nephew and two great-great nieces. One step-daughter, Patricia Rados of Yorkville, IL;One step-daughter-in-law, Virginia Taber of Geneva, IL;Seven step-grandchildren:Russell and Robert Rados,Jennifer Rados,Robert and William Taber,Cheryl Lynn Novotny andBarbara Hansen;Three step-great grandchildren:Cory and Christopher Taber and Amanda and Daniel Giampietro;In addition she leaves a "family of friends" in her neighborhood and at church, whose loving care was the perfect touch for a tired nurse. PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Clara; One sister, Ruth Swanson;One brother, Hilding Swanson.Her husband, Leland and one step-son, Robert Taber.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Mildred’s name to benefit the Grace Lutheran Church, the American Heart Association and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Mildred Taber Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information call 1-800-8 CONLEY, (630) 365-6414.

Visitation and funeral services will be held on Friday, October 5, 2007 at the Grace Lutheran Chruch, Hanson Rd., Lily Lake. Friends may gather at church for visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 pm and funeral services will begin at 2pm.

Interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn, Il.