Anna Leona (Williams) ORR

ORR, WILLIAMS, SPANGLE, SEIFERT, PETERSON, MILLER, JURGENSON, STEFFENSON, DINGMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/24/2013 at 14:04:01

December 1, 1907 --- July 22, 2013

Anna Leona Williams, the seventh child of thirteen and daughter of, Josiah Melburn and Sarah Jane (Spangle) Williams, was born December 1, 1907, in Hamilton County, Iowa, near Webster City. She was raised and educated in the area of her birth.

On July 17, 1927, Anna was united in marriage with Enos Jeremiah Orr at his parent's home. The couple moved to Eagle Grove on April 13, 1934. Anna worked for Wilson's Produce, Morton's Frozen Foods, Pioneer Seed Company and Rotary Ann Nursing Home, retiring at the age of 70 years. Enos preceded her in death on July 12, 1977. Anna was a member of the Assembly Of God Church and then the First Baptist Church in Eagle Grove and served on the Rotary Ann Auxiliary.

Anna passed away on Monday, July 22, 2013, surrounded by her family, at Rotary Senior Living in Eagle Grove, at the age of 105 years. She was also preceded in death by her parents; son, Clifford Orr; daughter, Dorothy Seifert; grandsons, James and Harold Peterson; great great-grandson, Bret Miller and her 12 siblings. Survivors include her eight children: Alta Peterson (Arthur) of Fort Dodge, Wesley E. Orr of Goose Creek, SC, Madella Jurgenson (James) of Mesa, AZ, Darlene Steffenson (Ted) of Goldfield, Marilyn Dingman of Phoenix, AZ, Charlotte Orr of Pocatello, ID, Larry E. Orr (Pamela) of Rolfe and LeRoy E. Orr of Eagle Grove and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren and great great great-grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be held Friday, July 26, 2013, 1:30 p.m. at Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove with Pastor Richard Taylor officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home, Eagle Grove. Burial will be in Troy Township Cemetery, Eagle Grove. Memorials may be left to the American Lung Association.

Foust Funeral Home - Eagle Grove, Iowa
http://hosting-24983.tributes.com/obituary/read/Anna-L.-Orr-96156407

***********************
A Mile in Her Shoes by Kim Demory

Mike Ryerson spent Monday morning, March 19, walking a mile in the shoes (or more like along-side the shoes) of 104-year-old Anna Orr. This trek was nothing new for Orr, who has been taking walks outdoors every day the good Lord grants her for decades, weather permitting of course. It was, however, a new experience for Ryerson. So how exactly did these two end up partnering together for a mid-morning stroll? Because Ryerson sold Orr’s walking trip during the Eagle Grove Museum Restoration Project community auction held a few weeks ago. It all started innocently enough. Orr was at the soup supper/community auction supporting the cause when Ryerson noticed her and called her up front in front of all the people.

“I thought to myself, now what have I done...what do we have to talk about,” Orr chuckled recalling the events of the evening. Then Mike announced, “I’m gonna sell you.” And so the bidding began. Who was willing to pay Orr for the morning walk she takes everyday? Vera Johnson, who “bought” her for $175. “I had an amount in mind that I wanted to give the museum, and I hadn’t reached it yet...so I paid for Anna’s walk,” Johnson said. This past Monday, when Orr made good on her deal, she suggested Ryerson and Johnson come along on the journey. They happily accepted. Johnson, who is limited by an ailment, walked a couple of blocks. Ryerson, however, stayed for the complete one mile journey to the Flowing Well and back to Orr’s house. Ryerson said he enjoyed the journey filled with the many stories Orr was willing to share along the way. “She walks at a pretty good pace,” Ryerson said, considering he is less than half her age. “People don’t believe I walk like this, not even my own children,” Orr said lightheartedly.

Every morning, as long as the temperature is above freezing and there is no ice, Orr goes out for her walk. She’s walked in rain, snow and sunshine. Sometimes she walks in the mornings, sometimes it’s afternoon. As to where she walks, it depends. “I can’t help (my desire to go on walks). God gives me the strength to do it and I’m gonna do what he tells me to do,” Orr said. When it’s time to head out, Orr has a method. “I stand on my front porch and look up to the sky and say ‘Lord, which way should I go?’ Then I go which way God tells me to go,” Orr said.

There are many reasons Orr continues to walk at least a mile a day at the age of 104 - besides the
fact that it’s good exercise, she feels amazingly well physically. No aches and pains before or after the walk. “I can’t believe it myself, but I only remember being in pain twice in my whole life, and they were in my big toe. I haven’t even had so much as a headache,” Orr said. That includes having children, seven surgeries, and a broken ankle. There just wasn’t any pain. If she doesn’t feel pain, then she must be meant to keep walking each and every day...and that she will, as long as the good Lord allows it.

Eagle Grove Eagle - Eagle Grove, Iowa
March 22, 2012

*******************

Anna Orr from Eagle Grove celebrated her 105th Birthday on Dec. 1 with many relatives and friends attending, including some from out of state. Past stories and memories were shared by several people, which all seemed to greatly enjoy. Anna had ten children and now has five and six generations. She still walks everyday and runs her own household.

December 12, 2012
The Daily Freeman Journal - Webster City, Iowa

*********************
Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Page E2488

TRIBUTE TO ANNA L. ORR

HON. TOM LATHAM of Iowa in the House of Representatives
Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Anna L. Orr on the recent celebration of her 100th birthday on December 1, 2007. Anna was born on December 1, 1907, in Wright County, Iowa. On July 17, 1927, she married Enos Orr. Anna and Enos had 10 children and have 132 direct descendants. Anna has traveled extensively during her lifetime and currently lives in her own home in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She loves going for walks to the local nursing home to visit with residents, fishing, and working in her garden. There have been many changes that have occurred during the past one hundred years. Since Anna's birth we have revolutionized air travel and walked on the moon. We have invented the television and the Internet. We have fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall of Soviet Communism and the birth of new democracies. Anna has lived through 18 U.S. Presidents and 24 Governors of Iowa and, in her lifetime, the population of the United States has more than tripled. I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in sending warm wishes to Anna on the milestone of her 100th birthday. I am extremely honored to represent her in Congress, and I wish her happiness and health for many more years to come.