AnnaMae Francis Powers passed away in her home on December 5th surrounded by her loving family, just short of her 98th birthday. She was born in Guttenberg, Iowa, on December 13, 1924, to Gregor and Marie (Fassbinder) Junk. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Guttenberg, graduating in 1942.
AnnaMae’s first full time job was breaking eggs at the Iowa Food Products plant in Guttenberg. About a year later, because of her accounting and shorthand abilities, she became the boss’s secretary.
She met the love of her life, Maurice James Powers, at Lakeside Ballroom. They married on October 10, 1945, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guttenberg. While this German-Irish union was not always easy, as Maurice would say, they made it work. Along the way, they were blessed with 8 children.
For the first 2 years of their marriage, they made their home with Maurice’s parents, Ed and Coletta, on the Powers farm. In 1950 they purchased a 160-acre farm west of St. Olaf. They made their living by milking cows, raising pigs and chickens and later raising beef cattle. They added Powers Feed and Supply which they owned and operated from 1958 to 1990. Along with raising her children, she was the bookkeeper and secretary at the mill as well as overseeing the farm operations. The grass never grew under her feet.
They were members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elkader. AnnaMae was a member of the Ladies Guild as well as Crafters. She was devoted to the Rosary. She joined the St. Olaf Legion Auxiliary in 1950 and was a lifetime member.
AnnaMae played a mean game of cards and wasn’t afraid to bid. Other leisure activities were walking, quilting, embroidering, reading and doing crossword puzzles. She was an avid antique collector until they sold their homestead and moved into Elkader, in September 1997.
While Maurice was still living, they loved dancing and traveling. In 1986, they retired and considered themselves fortunate to have avoided 28 winters by snow birding at Chimney Park in Mission, Texas. They both loved the climate, activities, their circle of friends, and the Catholic Church there. AnnaMae continued spending her winters there until she was 95.
For AnnaMae family gatherings couldn’t happen enough. She was the glue that held the family together. She set an example to all by her hard work, dedication, and faith in God.
AnnaMae was the life of the party and had the ability to make everyone she came in contact with love her due to her sharp wit and graciousness.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gary (September 28, 1948) and her husband, Maurice in January 16, 2002; grandson, Brady Powers,son-in-law, Bill Thurn. Brothers Veryl, Gene and Greg, and Sister Elaine.
Survivors’ include Jim Powers (Shila), Mary (Jim) Brink; Joyce (Dave) Caldwell; Jean (Bruce) Kuehl; Janice (Dan) Niehaus; Jayne (David) Logsdon; Maureen (Dale) Butikofer.
23 Grandchildren, 48 Great Grandchildren, 6 Great-Great Grandchildren, Numerous nieces and nephews
Visitation: 9:00 AM until 10:15 AM, Friday, December 9, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM, Friday, December 9, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader with Rev. John Haugen as Celebrant
Interment: 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery (Kann) rural Garnavillo
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.