Anna Hunt

Anna Margaret “Tully” Hunt was born June 8, 1932 to Patrick & Katie (Sherlock) Tully. She left this world on March 11th, 2011, at the home of her daughter, Jodi, of Milburn, surrounded by her family. She spent her early childhood on a farm north of Oconto. In 1942, Anna & her family moved to Ortello Valley southwest of Anselmo. Anna graduated from Merna High School in 1950. Shortly after graduating she began the journey to realizing one of her lifelong passions: teaching. Anna taught first at Cottage Country School off Ryno Road. She was united in marriage to James R. Hunt on April 19th, 1952, at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church, in Anselmo Nebraska. They made their home, again in Ortello Valley; they rented the homestead of Jenny Hill with the stipulation you had to live on the place. James went to the service. James’ parents closed up their home in Merna, and went out to live with Anna to help with the chores (milking cows, chickens, hogs, and the farming). Anna taught at Upper Dale country school, often having to commute by horseback. When James returned from Korea, they moved to Kearney where James went to school, returning on weekends to take care of the farm. In this time they were blessed by the arrival of their first child, Judy. In 1958, they returned to Ortello Valley, where they farmed and James taught school. Anna, stayed home with their growing family, & kept watch on the cattle. If she got into a bind with calving and needed help in a hurry, she had some wonderful neighbors who would come to her aid. By this time their family had expanded to two more girls, Jodi & Jeanne, & a boy Almer Downer (a.k.a. A.D.) In the fall of 1966, they moved to Edgar, Nebraska, where she taught 2nd grade. This would be there home for the next 3 years except for weekends & summers, when they would commute back to Ortello Valley. In the spring of 1969, James & Anna made a soul searching decision to return to Ortello Valley full time. Anna continued to work alongside James & their 4 children on the farm and ranch. Anna substitute taught & continued to pursue her degree in teaching. She traveled back & forth to Kearney daily in order to attend summer sessions. In August 1973, she received a Bachelor’s Degree from Kearney State College. Her degree was a very hard fought milestone for her, & a great source of pride for her, and her family. She taught full-time from 1976 to 1990. In 1982 Anna & James welcomed their son, A.D. into the farming & ranching operation. During the late 1990’s, James & Anna split their time living on their ranch south of Brewster & the farm southwest of Anselmo. In 1996 Anna traveled with her family to receive The Ark-Sar-Ben 100 Year Homestead Award. In addition to being a devoted mother & compassionate teacher, she was her husband’s partner & instrumental in the growth of the Hunt & Hunt operation. Anna was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, and St. Anselm’s Catholic Altar Society. She is survived by daughters, Judy (Ron) Jacobsen, Jodi (Greg) Smith, Jeanne (Dr. Michael) Downey and son, A.D. (Michaela) Hunt. Grandchildren: Diron (Amy) Jacobsen, Dr. Roni Jacobsen, Bobbi Ann (Jared) Pettit, Mike, Jack, Luke, & Drew Smith, Jill, Amanda, & Paul Downey, Sara, Sam, Sadie, & Seth Hunt. Great granddaughters: Kyla & Adilynn Jacobsen, & Emmi Pettit. Sister Agnes Hempstead, brother, Joe Tully, sister-in-laws Betty Tully & Helen Reynolds. She is preceded in death by her husband, James, grandchildren: Jonathan Jacobsen, Robert & Abbey Smith, brothers: Donald & James Tully, sisters: Mary (Lloyd) Katherine (Jack) Dickinson, Funeral services will be held Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Anselms Catholic Church in Anselmo, Ne. with Father Jim Hunt officiating. A Christian Wake service and Rosary will be held Monday March 14th at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Anselms Catholic Church in Anselmo. Visitation will be Monday March 14th 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Saint Anselms Church in Anselmo. Burial will be in the OrtelloValley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ortello Valley Cemetery.