In her typically organized fashion, Anna penned her obituary:
Anna was born at home on June 26, 1932, to Henry and Bina (Booth) Tomes in Des Moines, Iowa. Anna was the fourth oldest of six children. She graduated from St. Charles High School in St. Charles, Iowa, on May 23, 1951. Anna was married to her husband, Marion Lee Gilliland, of 70 years on September 21, 1951. They were blessed with three children, Terri Lynn, Karen Kay, and Donald Lee. Anna enjoyed working for the Meredith Corporation for more than 30 years.
Anna enjoyed watching her children play musical instruments at school and the Bell Ringers. She loved to take her children and nieces and nephews to the outdoor movie drive-in, eating popcorn in the old station wagon. She enjoyed sharing time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Anna and Marion enjoyed going to Mesa, Arizona, for eight years after they retired as well as bus trips and traveling to Missouri to see family.
Anna is survived by her husband, Marion; daughters Terri (Alan) Brache, Karen Young; son Donald (Tracie) Gilliland; grandchildren, Morgan Olsem, Michelle Vacco Huber, Alexandra Young Lancaster, Nichole Gilge, Crystal Feldman, Joe Gilliland, Adam Gilliland, and Steven Gilliland; 18 great-grandchildren; sister Joan (Clifford) Wadle; brother-in-law Jack Daniels, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Tressa (Raymond) Burke, Sadie (Lowell) Fosters, and Joyce Daniels; brother Henry (Friedel) Tomes, and her grandson Benjamin Olsem.
Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Thursday, March 10, at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.
