After a full, productive, and loving life, Mildred Allen Been passed away on March 14, 2015 at Chase Center in Logansport. She was 90 years old.
Mildred was born to Gilbert and Lotta Allen on March 21, 1924. She first lived in Terre Haute and her family later moved to Logansport. She had six siblings: LaVern, Richard, Gilbert Jr., Rosemary, Patricia, and Sharon.
Mildred was a 1942 graduate of Logansport High School. She completed correspondence courses through Indiana University and Butler University while working as a librarian at the Cass County Public Library for several years. In the late 1940's, she had a blind date with Herbert Varney Been. He met her at the library and they went to a dance at the Izaak Walton League. Herbert was a young farmer from Carroll County and had recently returned from WWII. Mildred and Herbert wed on April 8, 1950. They were married 64 years.
Although a city girl, Mildred took quickly to the rural life and lived the remainder of her life on farms in Carroll County. She loved gardening, raising animals, and everything about the outdoors. Mildred and Herbert were blessed with three children: Paula Been Foster, Lucinda "Cindi" Anderson, and Jeffrey Allen Been. She instilled in her children an appreciation for hard work, farm life, dedication to family, and, from her years as a librarian, a love of books and reading.
Mildred was involved in many community activities: Burrows Presbyterian Church, United Presbyterian Women, Liberty Belles Extension Homemakers, Wednesday Forum, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mildred is survived by her husband and her three children. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: Justin Foster, Martha Anderson Long, Dr. Benjamin Anderson, Samuel Anderson-Been, and Lily Anderson. In addition she is survived by six great-grandchildren: Colten and Garrett Foster, Emerson and Scarlett Long, and Thomas and Charles Anderson. Mildred was especially close to her grandchildren as they grew up on nearby farms. This allowed her to share intimately in their lives. They were a special joy to her.
Mildred was preceded in death by four of her siblings and her son-in-law Dr. Thomas Anderson. Two sisters, Sharon Stewart and Patricia Fry, survive her. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Martha Been Justice and Marjorie Been Reynolds, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 17 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Abbott Funeral Home in Delphi, Indiana. There will be a service at 3:00 with Pastor Ken Smith officiating. Burial will follow at the Brown Church Cemetery. The family requests no flowers and suggests memorial gifts to the Alzheimer's Foundation. www.abbottfuneralhome.com