Anna L. Herrs

Anna L. Herrs, 96, Linn, died Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Linn Community Nursing Home.

A funeral service was held 11 a.m., Monday, August 21, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Linn, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Pastor Mark Gaschler officiated.  Eunice Beier was the organist and the congregation sang "How Great Thou Art," "Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart," "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "Lift High the Cross."

Burial was in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Anna Louise Dorothea (Reith) Herrs was born on February 11, 1927 to John and Sophia (Bekemeyer) Reith on the family farm outside of Concordia, MO.  Due to the extreme temperatures of that winter, she was baptized into the Christian faith at home on February 20, 1927 by Rev. Fred Brust of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Concordia, MO.

Anna started elementary school at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Concordia, MO.  When her father fell ill of tuberculosis and died in 1937, the family moved to the Bekemeyer farm (Bush Place), Strawberry Township, KS.  She and her brother had also contracted TB and were confined to bed rest for almost two years.  After their recovery, she finished her elementary education both at Immanuel Lutheran School and Duprey Public School, Strawberry Township. Anna confirmed her faith at Immanuel Lutheran on April 6, 1941, being taught and confirmed by Rev. Paul Stolp.

Through Walther League, Anna met Paul Herrs, a WWII vet.  They married the afternoon of Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950 at Immanuel with Pastor B. A. Hobratschk officiating.  They made their home on Bush Place for the next 23 years, where Anna kept house, raised a large garden, and baked fantastic coffee cakes.  She was active at Immanuel, singing in the choir, supporting the school, and serving in the Ladies’ Aid as well as Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.  Two children, Lois and Carol, were born into this loving home.

When Paul died suddenly on October 18, 1973, Anna began her second “career” by serving as a nurses’ aide and eventually a certified med aide at nursing homes in Washington and Linn, KS.  She retired in 2000, after which time she enjoyed travelling to see her daughters and their families and attending LWML conventions throughout the country.   She was privileged to attend both granddaughters’ college graduations as well as their recent weddings.  Anna volunteered with Meadowlark Hospice and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.  In July 2021, Anna became a resident of the Linn Community Nursing Home.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons-in-law, Marcus Schumacher and Jerry Fauss; an infant sister; brother Henry Reith; and sisters-in-law, Lorna and Ruby.

Survivors include daughters Lois Fauss, Phoenix, AZ, and Carol (Bruce) Blasé,Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren and their spouses Erin Blase and Jon Pontinen, Minneapolis, and Caitlyn and Zachary Schut, Colorado Springs, CO; great grandchildren Juniper Pontinen and William Schut, as well as nieces and nephews.

“My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

A memorial fund is established to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington, Kansas.