Anna M. Ellingsen

On November 1, Anna Marie Ellingsen held her loving husband's hand one last time before she opened her arms to be folded into our Heavenly Father's eternal embrace. In the days leading up to her passing, Anna found great comfort in those loved ones who had gone before (her mother and father and most notably, her younger sister, Kathy, whom Anna helped care for as only Anna could before her passing in 2000) and in those she left behind (her daughters, Andrea and Heather; her grandchildren, Connor, Katie Grace, Emma and Jane; her sons-in-law, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and so many very dear friends).

Anna knew no strangers. She befriended campground neighbors, elementary school teachers, farmers, fellow grandparents, every child in every place and anyone who was poor in spirit. Even in her last days, she thought of others first. A terminally ill child who shared the radiology waiting room with Anna received the gift of a color book, colors and hope from her. A newborn granddaughter who received the most perfect Halloween costume, handpicked by Grandma with love. And a husband who was deeply encouraged by her selfless love even through her significant pain.

As a wife, Anna's greatest desire was to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, just weeks away. Her passion for Bruce, and his for hers, was profound and in these last months the couple showed what deep, lasting, abounding love looks like in a broken world. If there were ever such things as true fairy tales, Anna was the princess to her prince and the two lived happily ever after. The couple traveled in recent years -- from coast to coast in a camper made for two but big enough for Anna to welcome grandchild after grandchild and friends old and new. Though their time together was too short, their memories will last forever.

As a mother, Anna loved fiercely and with great pride. She raised two daughters who, though very different from herself and one another, were taught by their mother to be kind, generous, loving, strong, intelligent, passionate (things she modeled) -- and to be incredible mothers themselves. Her legacy started here.

As a grandmother, Anna found her life's purpose ... and a place to share her silliest, most playful, most energetic, most loving self. She was the grandmother everyone hopes for and the one Connor, Katie Grace, Emma and Jane were lucky enough to have. Anna sacrificed for them in every way and they are all forever changed by her love. Even in her last days, her greatest joy came from hearing "I love you Grandma" and she understood her legacy will surely continue on in them.

For all those others who God brought into Anna's life, she was grateful, showing so with small acts of kindness that will now have lasting impact. Cards, care packages, hugs, laughs, a call just when you need an angel to call ... she was known for swooping in at the moment you most needed her and giving just what you wouldn't know to ask.

Anna's life is a testament to God's great love. In Him, we now place our sorrow and our hope and we give him our Anna, our wife, our mother, our grandmother, our sister, our friend. Until we see her again.

Prayer service is 6:00p.m. on Friday followed by visitation until 8:00p.m. at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is 10:00a.m. on Saturday at Emanuel Lutheran Church – 2444 North Broadway in Council Bluffs. Interment is in Ridgewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family will direct memorials in Anna’s honor.