JUNKER, Anna Eliesa 1908-2003

JUNKER, PENGAL, MAIFELD

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/31/2010 at 21:41:20

Anna Eliesa Junker, age 94, of Parkersburg, Iowa was born the daughter of Ubben and Eliza Pengal Maifeld on March 26, 1908, near Ackley in Butler County, Iowa. She, along with her four brothers and three sisters, received her public education at a country school near their farm. Her spiritual education was received in her home and in Sunday School.

Anna was united in marriage with Fred C. Junker on February 26, 1927, in the parsonage of the Washington Reformed Church, rural Ackley, Iowa. She was his faithful helpmate until his death in 1977. The couple made their home on farms in the Aplington and Parkersburg area until 1978. Anna moved to her apartment in Parkersburg in 1993.

Anna gave birth to 14 children, later welcoming their spouses; 34 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She dedicated her life to serving others and faithfully administered all the assorted duties associated with raising 13 children to adulthood. Day after day, she laid down her life for her family. Anna saw the eternal benefit in rituals with her children that made them feel wanted and loved.

Anna was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening and doing farm chores. She enjoyed taking care of her family and grandchildren and especially liked to travel to visit them.
Anna always insisted she was a country girl but at age 83, she chose to leave the country for an apartment in Parkersburg, where she enjoyed having coffee and tea parties with friends and family. She learned about fax machines, telephone answering machines and computers and was willing to stretch her boundaries to learn new skills such as how much to tip the pizza delivery person and how to negotiate with the landlords.

Anna was known for her baking and tea parties. Although she never held an outside job or positions of honor in the community, she was a friend and confidant to many, gently offering advice according to what God had taught her through her long life.

Several years ago, when Anna's health started to deteriorate, she made the decision to move to Maple Manor Village in Aplington. She continued her life's purpose there by befriending other residents and staff and by offering a listening ear to those who spent time with her.

In her well-worn Bible, Anna recorded Isaiah 43:1-2 as her life verses: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Precious memories of a gracious lady, who delighted in life's simple pleasures and relationships with people, will sustain her family and friends through their sorrow. Those memories will leave a sweet fragrance in the lives of everyone who loved Anna.

Anna died February 11, 2003, at Maple Manor Care Center in Aplington, Iowa of natural causes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred on October 31, 1977; two daughters; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Graveside services were held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, February 13, 2003, at Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Iowa.

Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home, Parkersburg, was in charge of arrangements

Iowa Statewide Obituary Collection - Central -121 (Source not dated)