A Sweet Legacy: Community Mourns Passing of Anna Mae Wagler, Founder of Iconic Millbank Bakery

MILLBANK, ON – The small community of Millbank and the wider Waterloo Region are pausing today to remember a local pioneer whose kitchen-table ambition grew into a provincial landmark. Anna Mae Wagler, the founder and namesake of the beloved Anna Mae’s Bakery & Restaurant, passed away on March 26, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 73.

Wagler’s story is a quintessential example of rural entrepreneurship born from necessity. In 1978, facing financial strain due to her husband’s health struggles, she began selling homemade pies at the end of her laneway. Her traditional Mennonite recipes—particularly her signature pies—quickly garnered a loyal following, turning a roadside stand into a destination.

From Laneway to Landmark

What started as a way to support her family evolved into a cornerstone of Ontario’s culinary landscape. In 1991, Wagler moved her operation from her home to a small, seven-table bakery on Perth Line 72. Today, that same location boasts:

• Seating for nearly 200 guests across 50 tables. 

• A staff of approximately 100 employees, many from the local Amish and Mennonite communities. 

• A reputation for the "best broasted chicken" and traditional Dutch apple pie in the region.

While Wagler sold the business in 2001, the current owners have remained dedicated to her original vision. In a statement released Friday, the restaurant noted, "Anna Mae had a vision and the courage to pursue it. She built something truly special even when many believed it wouldn’t succeed in a small town."

A Life of Service

Beyond her professional success, Wagler was remembered for her immense heart. A lifelong member of the Bethel Conservative Mennonite Church, she was a dedicated foster mother, opening her home to many children over the decades.

Locals took to social media today to share memories not just of the food, but of the woman behind it. "She was an incredibly hardworking woman, always on the go, and found her greatest joy in caring for the people around her," the family shared in a tribute.

Memorial Information

In keeping with Wagler's spirit of giving, the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:

• Stratford General Hospital

• London Health Sciences Centre

As the ovens in Millbank continue to turn out the recipes she perfected, the community ensures that while the founder has passed, her "sweet legacy" remains firmly rooted in the soil of Perth County.