She was the founder of the popular Anna Mae’s Restaurant and Bakery, and a person who loved her family and cared for others.
That’s how Amanda Herrford describes her late friend Anna Mae Wagler, who passed away, age 74, on March 26 after a battle with cancer.
According to Wagler’s obituary, she began her baking business in 1978 by making pies in her home and selling them near her laneway.
“In 1991, she moved to the location we’re at now. She had a vision and she was a strong and determined woman,” said Herrford.
“Many people told her when she moved into this location that it would not work, it would not be busy, this would never fly in a small town, and she went ahead anyways and proved everybody wrong.”
She said Wagler, a local Mennonite, helped put Millbank on the map through the restaurant, resulting in several businesses booming in the town, including furniture, hardware and thrift stores, Zehrs country market, equipment places and Elizabeth Watson Floral and Artisan shop.
Herrford’s parents bought the restaurant from Wagler in 2001, leading her to start working there and getting a chance to meet Anna Mae.
The menu has expanded to include wholesome, hearty meals in addition to the always popular fresh breads and desserts.
“Every time she was in here, we would always chat, she would come for meals, she would come and get baking and pie dough, if I had any questions I (could) always call and ask her,” said Herrford.
She wants Wagler to be remembered as a hard-worker, humble and caring person with a fun sense of humour.
