Mildred Rose Gudorf

Mildred (Millie) was born in Anna, Ohio in 1927 to Joseph Drees and Bernadine (Poeppelman) Drees, one of 12 children born into the Drees family. She grew up during the Depression era and WWII, shaping her notable values toward work and family. A fiercely independent woman, Mildred believed that with quality and quantity of work, she would rise. And she did. She began working at the age of 15, graduated from Holy Angels High School, and entered the field of accounting. She married Robert Gudorf in 1947. Together, they moved to Colorado in 1955, where Mildred continued in her long career in accounting and business management. She worked for Curtis, Truck Plaza, Oneida Cold Storage for 45 years as Chief Financial Officer. She was invaluable to these corporations, working 60 hour weeks throughout her career. In addition, she co-owned and operated several smaller companies.

'Retiring' at the age of 75, she moved to Surprise, AZ in 2002, living next-door to her sisters (Doris and Bernie Drees). There she pursued her love of polka dancing, golf, casinos, hosting parties, dominos, and Mah Jongg.

Mildred mentored many employees, family members and friends throughout her life, sharing her wealth of financial advice, business acumen, and general wisdom. She encouraged each to thoughtfully consider their dreams and to work hard to achieve them.

She will be dearly missed for her love, friendship, her values, generosity, pragmatic optimism, her bountiful energy, love of adventure, travel and change, her ability to adapt and persevere in any situation, her fearlessness and courage to take risks, her ability to take charge of any situation and make things happen, and for her wonderfully subtle playfulness.

This incredible spirit is carried on in her children: Deb (Dale Patton), Ben (Liz), and Michelle (Kevin Johnston); her grandchildren: Jessica (Aaron Virgo), Travis Haney (Matisa), Annie (Larry Jump), Joe, Jacob, Justice (Katie Romelczyk), and Sojourn; her great grandchildren: Jodeci (Tyler), Allesandra (Chase), Ian, Josh (Mia), Ramsey, Kaylie, Lexie, and Brayden; and in her great-great grandchildren: Sapphira and Louie; as well as her many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but never forgotten.

Mildred is reunited with her husband and favorite dance partner of 54 years, Robert Gudorf, and her predeceased 11 siblings. We thank her for the memories, and for everything she has shared. She will be remembered.

Funeral service will be held at 9:45 am on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Olinger Highland in Thornton CO.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mildred's memory to: St Jude Children's Hospital