Anna Marra

Rock Rapids, IA Anna Marra, age 87 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, September 20, 2009 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 22nd at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Anita Bane officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Monday, September 21st from 2:00 to 8:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Anna Katherina Alvina Marra was born March 11, 1922 in Hull, IA, the daughter of Gerrit and Hermina (Van Oort) Bomgaars. She was raised on a farm in Sioux County near Matlock. She attended school at Matlock. On June 20th, 1939 she was united in marriage to William Marra in Matlock. To this union two children were born, Gerrit and Harriet. Following their marriage they lived in Matlock for some time, then moved to Sheldon, IA, and later to Steen, MN. In 1944 they moved to Rock Rapids where they raised their family. Anna cleaned houses for many people in Rock Rapids. She also washed and ironed all the towels used at the barber shop down town. But mostly, she loved to spend time with her family and friends. She and Willy enjoyed many hours spent with their special neighbors playing pinochle. She had a green thumb and enjoyed caring for her many house plants and flowers. It was not uncommon for Anna and Willy to take midnight car rides around town or even to Luverne and have coffee. In fact, they loved taking short day trips together, always accompanied by their thermos of coffee. If the fire whistle went off, it was normal to see Anna and Willy following the fire truck to see where the fire was. The firemen didnt mind. They knew Anna and Willy wouldnt be far away overseeing their work and drinking from their thermos. She and her husband were always together, and it was hard for Anna when in 1997 Willy died at the age of 79. Even after Willy passed away at Lyon Manor, Anna continued taking cookies to the staff and showing her love for them. The staff there and also the Health Centre as well as the hospice staff meant so much to Anna and her family. They wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one involved in the care of Anna and Willy. This past Sunday, September 20th, Anna passed away at the age of 87. She will be greatly missed. Anna is survived by her two children, Gerrit (Charlotte) Marra of Merrill, IA, and Harriet (Douglas) Schemmel of Alvord, IA; grandchildren, Kent Kam Marra of Pasco, WA, Teresa (Keith) Seplak of Mesa, AZ, Chad (Megan) Marra of Gold Canyon, AZ, Bradley (Theora) Schemmel of Alvord, IA, Russell (Barbara) Schemmel of Newborn, GA, Susan (Mark) Nagel of Alvord, IA, Kurt (Friend Karla Bryson) Schemmel of Canton, SD, Steven (Sarah) Schemmel of Larchwood, IA; Great Grandchildren, Dustin, Kendle, and Krik Marra, Rebecca Schemmel, Amanda, Ashley, and Amber Schemmel, Luke Nagel, Ethan, Tristen and Dylan Schemmel, Mariah Schemmel, William and Tristan Marra; great-great grandchildren, Vivian Marra, Joseph Pickens, and Aaiden Schemmel. She was preceded in death by her parents Gerrit and Hermina Bomgaars, her husband of 58 years, William Marra; two brothers, John and Nick Bomgaars and sister, Margaret Bomgaars.