Anna L. Bohlander

SIOUX CITY -- Anna L. Bohlander of Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of Sioux City, died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at Spring Village Care Center in Colorado Springs.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2009 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sioux City. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Friday in Hanover Cemetery, Hanover Township, Charter Oak, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City.

Anna was born Jan. 20, 1920, on a farm in Charter Oak, Iowa, to Emil and Anna (Lill) Pautsch. She was the youngest of nine brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded her in death. She received her education in the Crawford County, Iowa, country schools.

On Aug. 8, 1943, she married Melvin Bohlander of Denison, Iowa. She lived in Boston, Mass., and later in Newport News, Va., while Melvin served in the U.S. Navy. After World War II ended, they settled in Sioux City, where they raised three children. After her husband's death in 2003, she moved to Colorado Springs to be near family. Until a month ago, she lived in her own home with her daughter, Laurel.

She was a lifelong Lutheran, active in the Women's League, helping with big-print books, quilting and church luncheons. She gave her time unselfishly to her family and her many friends. After her retirement, she participated in numerous activities through the Siouxland Senior Center, especially dancing and travel.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Mary Bohlander of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a daughter, Laurel Bohlander of Colorado Springs; a daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, Phil, Janet, Matt and Kristen Butin of San Anselmo, Calif.; and 12 nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts in her name may be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sioux City.