Anna Elizabeth Wessels

Anna Elizabeth Wessels, age 94, of Denver Colorado, went to be with the Lord on August 28, 2018. She passed away while being cared for at the Hallmark Skilled Nursing Facility and Hospice from a failing health and complications from hip fracture.

Anna was born March 26, 1924, at her parent’s farm near Kanawha, Iowa, to John and Tillie (Abbas) Smidt. She was the eldest of five children, Edna (John) Crum, John (Jo) Smidt, Carl (Ella Mae) Smidt and Herman (Sandra) Smidt. Anna attended a rural country school near Kanawha until the 8th grade at which time she dropped out to help her parent doing farm work. Anna was married on October 9, 1946 in the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church to Paul Wessels. Anna gave birth to two children, James Wessels who was born September 10, 1947, and Barbara (Wessels) Chambers on August 29, 1950.

Anna and Paul lived on several farms in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota until June of 1962 when because of Paul’s health, moved to Denver, Colorado. Anna began working once settled in Denver as a housekeeper and nanny for several years. Anna then went to work as a janitor at Denver University. Anna finished her working career as a custodian at Packaging Corporation of America where Paul was also working. While at Packaging Corporation of America, Anna fell and sustained an injury which led to her retirement. After Paul retired, they purchased a motor home and enjoyed several years of traveling and camping.

Anna and Paul were quite enthusiastic bowlers and Anna was still bowling well into her eighties. Anna also volunteered at her church for different functions which required cooking and cleaning. Anna’s greatest joy seemed to be with family and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Anna attended many of the grandchildren’s baseball and football games.

Anna’s children, James and his wife Victoria, have three boys, Jeffrey (Kelley), James (Shonna), and Jason (Shannon). Barbara and her husband Jerry have two boys Scott (Jennifer), and Eric. Anna’s has twelve great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Anna has many nieces and nephews.

Anna is preceded in death by her parents John and Tillie Smidt, her brother John Smidt, her husband Paul Wessels, as well as several brothers and sisters in law.

Anna loved life and always had a joke to tell, had a great sense of humor and was a little mischievous. Anna loved people and could talk to about anyone she met. Anna was one who would hug everyone, whether she just met them or had known them for years. Although Anna never played sports, she was an avid Rockies and Broncos fan and tried never to miss a game on television. Anna was a great wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and a dear friend to many. Anna loved the Lord and kept her faith in Him to the very end.