Anna Louise (née Vogt) Nilsson, June 10, 1924-March 9, 2021, age 96, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, passed away after a brief illness at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa, happily joining in heaven her husband of 68 years, James Nilsson and her beloved daughter Rhonda Kreamer.
Anna was born in Metropolis, Illinois, the daughter of August and Mathilda Vogt, and was the second of their four children. Raised on the family farm during the Great Depression and WWII, Anna would go on to attend the University of Illinois and earn a B.S. in Home Economics.
It was at the University of Iowa, in early 1948, while working as assistant food service manager at the Quadrangle Dormitory Food Service, Anna met the love of her life, Jim ("I knew the minute I saw him” she would always say) who was studying electrical engineering on the G.I. Bill.
They wed on August 8, 1948 and began life together in Ames, Iowa so Jim could begin teaching while pursuing his master’s and Ph.D. in electrical engineering. Jim and Anna’s first ‘home’
was a military Quonset hut Iowa State University had converted into married student housing units after WWII.
Soon after the arrival of their first child, Bev, they moved to 1204 Lincoln Way, where they would raise all five of their children. Each would attend Whittier elementary school, Central Junior High School, Ames High School and graduate from Iowa State University.
Anna dedicated her life to creating a happy home for all. Social by nature, Anna loved gatherings of family and friends. Seldom a week went by without bridge night, a potluck party, a picnic at Brookside park or just a gathering in the back yard to enjoy a lemonade and share stories of the week. She was gregarious, energetic, engaging, and bold – the warm center of the Nilsson family.
Anna and Jim both loved the West and spent many summers taking the kids on camping trips throughout the western United States. In later life, they would visit Europe to visit ancestors in Sweden, England and Germany Anna had discovered doing genealogical research.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, brothers Leonard and Paul, and daughter Rhonda.
She is survived by her daughter Beverly Lemme (James), sons Robert William (Donise), Paul Edward, and Bruce Allen, Sister Verna Mae Kruse, grandchildren Doug Lemme, Sara Lemme, Katie Kreamer, Stephanie Kreamer, Matthew Johnson Nilsson, great granddaughters Felicity Lemme and Colette Lemme, and countless, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the College of Family & Consumer Sciences at Iowa State University.
Due to the pandemic a virtual celebration of life will be held Tuesday March 16th at 6:30 p.m. CDT (Iowa time). The link for attending the virtual service is below.
