Miriam A. “Meme” Ankeny, 93, of Austin, Minn., died on Saturday, June 30, 2012, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Miriam was born on Nov. 7, 1918, in Belle Fouche, S.D. to the Rev. C. Louis and Wilhemina (Will) Drews. She graduated from Alden High School. Meme worked at Holtz Drug in the 1930s. On June 8, 1939, she was married to Stanley Ankeny in Alden, Minn.

Stan and Meme started Ankeny Dairy Foods in 1946. Meme helped by wrapping butter and packaging cottage cheese. They enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada and spending winters in Mesa, Ariz. Stan and Meme were married for 56 years before Stan’s death in 1995.

Meme was a member of Bethlehem Free Methodist Church. She was president of the auxiliary at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home and enjoyed working in the beauty shop. For several years, Meme was a member of the Mower County Fair gospel committee.

Meme lived at the Cedars where she led Bible studies and played in the kitchen band. Later, she lived at Primrose where she enjoyed leading Bible studies. Meme resided at St. Mark’s for the last three years.

P.S. Buffy said, “Meme was an avid Twins fan and never missed a game.”

Meme is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Bob Low, Austin, Judy and Myrle Asper, Austin, Linda and Wally Meyer, Austin; sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Patti Ankeny, Austin, Mark and Alison Ankeny, Los Angeles, Calif.; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Lex Drews, Eagan, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Marion Mentz, Austin, Beulah Ankeny, Stewartville, Minn.; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Stan, six sisters and two brothers.

The honorary casket bearer will be Sam Ankeny. Casket bearers will be Jay Low, Steve Asper, Dan Asper, Dave Meyer, Scott Meyer and Ben Ankeny.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 3 at Bethlehem Free Methodist Church with the Rev. David Martin officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 2 and at the church on Tuesday for one hour before the service.