Mildred Pankow, 89, of Downers Grove, who instilled in her eight children a positive attitude and deep faith, died Thursday, Feb. 21, in Hinsdale Hospital of cancer. “Her favorite saying was, `This is the best ever,’ no matter what happened,” said her daughter Dianne Lammers. “It could be a burnt dinner and she would still say it.” Born on a farm as one of 12 children in Grainfield, Kan., Mrs. Pankow was 5 when her family moved to Downers Grove. She attended school until 9th grade, then married her husband, Charles, now deceased, when she was 16. They moved to Lyons and, in 1962, they moved back to Downers Grove. Although at times she worked outside the home as a sales clerk or waitress, she saw herself as a homemaker and mother to her children, her daughter said. “She was very patient with all her children and she was our confidant and best friend,” Lammers said. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Altar Guild for 25 years. Mrs. Pankow is also survived by three other daughters, Arlene Pankow, Donna Fischer and Candy Kuhn; three sons, Gregory, Charles and Dennis; 25 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5211 Carpenter St., Downers Grove.
