Miriam “Mim” Sayler, 87, of Des Moines, formerly of Waterloo and Hudson, died at her daughter’s home on Thursday, June 16, 2011, of natural causes.

Mim was born April 9, 1924, in Waterloo, the daughter of Hans Christian and Sena Madsen Andersen. She was proud to be first generation Danish American, both parents coming to the U.S. as children. She graduated from East High in 1942 and attended UNI. Mim married Robert T. Sayler March 4, 1950 in Cedar Falls; Bob died September 11, 2005.

She worked at John Deere during WWII, then as a loan and savings teller at the National Bank of Waterloo where her former East High classmate was also working. After Bob’s retirement she helped with their Denver Hardware store in Denver, Iowa, and at the Sayler Southside Mart in Hudson.

Mim was proud of her connection with St. Ansgar Lutheran Church. It was a big part of her life. She was a life-long member, was baptized, confirmed and married in the church. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, a past president of the altar guild, was on the worship and music committee, volunteered in the office, and a life-long member of Ruth Circle. Her parents and aunt Hattie were charter members, her father Hans Andersen was a carpenter for the current building and her uncle Soren Thompson was the contractor.

Mim also was a life-long caregiver. She cared for her parents, parents in law, aunts Laura and Hattie, of course Bob, Jan as well as Dave and her grandchildren. She was a Girl Scout leader, known for her green thumb, known for her baking – no doubt a result of her Danish ancestry, and loved her pets including many dogs and cats over the years – most recently Duchess.

Mim is survived by her daughter Janice (David) Petheram of Des Moines; granddaughter Laura Petheram of Ankeny; granddaughter Emily Petheram of Norwalk; grandson Scott Petheram of Des Moines; and cousins Bonnie and Barri Adelsberg of New Orleans. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.