Joann Elaine Mills

Went to join the company of her Lord & Savior after a life of service and dedication to her husband of 65 years, George “Bud” Mills, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, family and friends following an automobile accident on Saturday, June 15, 2013.  She was born October 25, 1928 in Lansing, Michigan to Thomas and Amy Hughes, orphaned at three years old and adopted by an Aunt and Uncle, Pearl and Otto Border.

She is survived by her sons: Michael L. (Marsha) of Port Huron, Douglas C. (Kristen) of Alexandria, VA and daughter Cindy Jo (Raymond) Rubio of Grand Ledge.  Seven grandchildren: Melissa C. MacQueen-Smith of Okemos, Lindsey (Victor) of Tempe, AZ; Kirsten Mills, Lacey Jo Horner (Matthew), Briana D. Burk (Tommy) of Leesburg, VA; Selena Rae Rubio (Justin Bliesener) and Cody Raymond Rubio of Grand Ledge. And five great-grandchildren: Ian James MacQueen, Meredith Katharine Smith, Isabel Sophia Rubio-Edgar, Henrik Jackson Hamburger, and Chase Matthew Horner.

Joann graduated from J.W. Sexton High School in 1947. She was widely renowned for her culinary skills particularly for her desserts.  The pinnacle of her volunteer work was the 20-plus years as Manager of the Sparrow Hospital Gift Shop.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church of Holt, 2021 N. Aurelius Rd., Holt, MI. Her ashes will be committed in the Memorial Gardens Columbarium at the church designed by her husband.  Visitation is Wednesday, June 19 from 6-9 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel and from Noon to 1:00 on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Holt’s Memorial Garden.

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12 Messages to “Joann Elaine Mills

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Grigor Hasted
June 17, 2013 at 2:09 pm

Doug and Mike:

I’m so sorry for your tragic loss. I regret that I’m traveling and will be unable to attend either the visitation or funeral services for your mother. Please know that my thoughts are with you both.

Scottie Hasted

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Liz Dunn
June 17, 2013 at 2:51 pm

Kristen — Sending love to you and your family…xo

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Tom Klix
June 17, 2013 at 3:54 pm

Doug, thinking of you at a very tough time, I hope that your Father is doing as well as can be expected. tk.

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Kelly Cole
June 17, 2013 at 6:07 pm

So sorry for your loss, Doug. We’ll be praying for the whole family. I know how much you adored your mother.

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Joanie Mills
June 17, 2013 at 6:22 pm

Mom, Thanks for all the lessons you taught me through the years, especially sharing your wonderful recipes and teaching me how to make them. We will never have Swiss Steak without thinking of you.
You were a kind and gentle mother-in-law. I couldn’t have been luckier in that department. My daughters were lucky to have you as a Nannie.
You live on in all of us. May your days be filled with the glorious music of heaven. Give my Dad a hug from me. Love you, Joanie

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David Bahlmann
June 17, 2013 at 7:51 pm

I`m so sorry for your tragic loss Doug. Please know that although I will be unable to attend the visitation or funeral our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dave Bahlmann

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Pat Mort
June 18, 2013 at 7:36 am

I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Jo and Bud growing up at Central United Methodist ~ my parents thought the world of them. My prayers and sympathy go to you all. Pat Mort

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Betsy (Hall) Zietlow
June 19, 2013 at 8:13 am

I was so sad to read of your loss. I have attended First Presbyterian with Bud and Jo for years and will dearly miss seeing her in “their pew” on Sundays and visiting with them during fellowship. What a wonderful person that just brought a smile into any room. Prayers are with you during this very difficult time.

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Chris Richardson-Beagle
June 19, 2013 at 2:24 pm

We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Jo was very special to us at Sparrow Gift Shop. Jo volunteered/worked with us for over 20 years and she has been a sustaining member since. She will be sincerely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. Chris Richardson-Beagle, Sparrow Gift Shop’s Monday Group Leader

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Norma & Al Stringham
June 19, 2013 at 10:34 pm

We are unable to travel from Arizona, but please know that our condolences and prayers go out to all of Joann’s family.
I share your loss of my dear childhood friend of over 80 years- “we girls” went all the way through school together and always stayed in touch.
Sent with our love, Norma & Al Stringham

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Brian Parr
June 20, 2013 at 11:52 am

Doug and Mike,
I just learned of your mother’s passing and want to express my deepest sympathies to you and all your family. Knowing the kind of good sons you are is testament to the kind of mother and woman she must have been. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brian

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Betty Steen
June 20, 2013 at 1:27 pm

I worked with your Mom at Sparrow in the gift shop where I admired her dedication and hard work. She was a wonderful person. My husband knew Bud through the Lansing Exchange Club, and we went with your folks for a weekend spent at Grand Hotel for officers of the club. They were great people. Betty Steen

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