Ann Leuenberger

July 20, 1929 -

Apr 7, 2020

Ann Marie Leuenberger, 90, died on April 7, 2020, peacefully at home in Palmer, Alaska, of natural causes. Ann was born on July 20, 1929, to Rachel (Clark) and Edward Long in York, Neb. When she was 11 years old her family moved to Iowa. She graduated high school in New Hampton then attended Iowa State Teachers College. She then taught in a one-room country school for two years. She was married to Leo Leuenberger on June 1, 1948. They farmed in Frederika, Iowa, until they moved to Palmer in 1973.

Ann had a special call to work with the elderly. While still in Iowa she worked as a recreational therapist in a county home for the disabled. In Alaska she worked and retired from the Pioneer Home in Palmer as a recreational therapist. After retiring she did missionary work with the elderly in Kentucky for C.A.P. (Christian Appalachian Project). Since then she has enjoyed gardening, active involvement with the Palmer Lions Club and visiting with friends; her greatest joy was her family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with whom she held parties, sleepovers, trips to the state fair and playing games.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; sister, Dorothy Bergman; daughter, Jan Thibodeau; and infant grandson, Lance Leuenberger. Surviving are Ruth (John) Thompson of Brandon, Miss.; Linda Wehrman of Tacoma, Wash.; Larry (Rose) of Palmer; Curtis (Annette) of Palmer; 14 grandchildren; and 30 great-grand children. Due to the current worldwide pandemic. a memorial service will be held sometime in the future at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Palmer.