Tribute

Mildred G. Kendall, 85, passed away on October 6, 2023. Mildred was born on April 9, 1938, in De Soto, Missouri to Floyd and Pearl (Duncan) Wagner. Raised on a dairy farm in rural Missouri, she was no slouch when it came to hard work. She had many humorous and harrowing tales of those days on the farm. She attended Moontown Elementary School, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, and was a graduate of De Soto High School (1956). Upon graduating, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona as did many of her siblings. After working for Mountain Bell (AT&T) for 12 years she completed her training as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and worked as a health care professional in Missouri and in Arizona until her retirement. Mildred was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (Tolleson, AZ) and was a regular volunteer at St. Mary’s food bank in Phoenix, AZ. While it is fair to say life sent a myriad of challenges to Mildred during her life, she was resilient, thoughtful, and caring, with an abundance of love for her children; and she doted on her grandchildren. She was one of those folks who could be fiercely independent and stubborn while also being empathetic and protective of family and friends. It was rare to find her without a cup of strong, black coffee in her hand. She found her calling in health care and in service at the food bank. It was no surprise to her sons that she arranged to have her body donated to ScienceCare. One last act of kindness.

Friends & Family

Survived by her sons, Michael (Jan Mead) Arrowood and Mark (Lorna) Arrowood; sisters, Wilma (Greg) Ceynar and Margaret Rambo; grandchildren, Brian (Deeana) Arrowood, Colin Arrowood, Aidan Arrowood, Sam (Molly) Arrowood, Hayley Arrowood and Tracy (Micah) Walters; and great-grandchildren Aubrey, Jayden, Nevaeh, and Thaddeus. Preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Pearl Wagner; brothers Robert and Edward Wagner; and sisters Betty Ann Manies and Mary Elva Jean Parmeley.