Anna Beckhoff

Anna Helen Warta was born May 29, 1926, the ninth child of Ben and Emma (Hynek) Warta at her parents farm north of Sumner, Dawson County, Nebraska. Anna passed away on December 6, 2009 in Broken Bow. She attended country school at Lower Park Valley, District 36, and was a graduate of Sumner High School in 1944. On October 4, 1944 she was united in marriage to Loren Staten Fisher at Phillipsburg, Kansas. To this union were born six daughters: Patsy Ann, LaDonna Marie (who died in infancy), Nancy Lee, JoEllen, Janet Kay, and Carolyn Joy. They farmed around Sumner for several years and then moved to Mason City, Nebraska. Anna was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and later the united Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women and also taught Sunday School for many years. On December 24, 1960, she was united in marriage to Dale R. Beckhoff, and they farmed near Mason City for 20 years. They then retired and purchased a home in Ansley, Nebraska where she remained active in the church and Sunday School. Her aged mother came to make her home with them in 1981, until her death in 1982. In 1996 she and her husband received Ak-sar-ben’s “Good Neighbor Award”. In November 2003, because of health reasons, she and her husband moved to Broken Bow, Nebraska. After a busy lifetime of hard work, Anna spent her retirement years knitting, crocheting and making many lovely quilts. She enjoyed history and genealogy and was an avid reader. She was always proud of her Czech heritage. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, of which she had held every office at various times, a member of the Sod House Society, and a member of the Ansley Senior Citizen Group. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and liked to bring them all together on every occasion possible. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Survivors include her husband, five daughters—Patsy Reynolds, Yakima, Washington; Nancy (Gene) Covey, Granby, Colorado; JoEllen (Michael) Smith, Clearwater, Florida; Janet Littlejohn, Milton, Florida; Carolyn (David) Bunger, Kearney, Nebraska; 14 Grandchildren, and 20 Great-grandchildren. One brother, Ed Warta of Miller, Nebraska; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from coast to coast and many friends. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, infant grandson, father, mother, five brothers and three sisters. As per her request, there will be no funeral service. She applied and was accepted at Creighton University Medical Center for scientific research. Cremation will follow. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church at Ansley.