Anna was born in Tremonton, Utah to Vern and Alma Theurer and died in her home in Paradise, California on November 12th, 2012 of cancer. She is survived by two of her five siblings: Verna and Rosalyn. Anna graduated from Utah State University and taught English at the University from 1946 to 1949. After marrying George Davis (from whom she was later divorced and who survives her) and having three children, she earned a special education degree from the University of Utah in 1957. She taught English and special education in Paradise schools from 1957 to 1984. After retirement she studied German and Italian at Chico State University.
Of utmost importance to her, she is survived by her three children: Linda Davis-Reed (Randy), Susan Davis and Robert Davis (Debbi); and three grandchildren: Amelia Yonan (Clint), Colin Davis and Grant Reed, all of whom made her life a joy and pleasure. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Kelsey Marie and Kyle Davis.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Gold Nugget Museum at P.O. Box 949, Paradise, CA 95967 or the Paradise Center for Tolerance and Non Violence at PCTN, 6023 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969 or Paradise Hospice at 1289 Bille Road, Paradise, CA 95969.
Those of you who know Anna well will not be surprised to know that she wrote her own obituary above. Her children and grandchildren would like to add some details to her characteristically straightforward approach to her own death:
Mom was an incredibly intelligent, fiercely independent and hard-working person with a great sense of humor. Among her multiple talents, we will always cherish her ability to parent, grandparent and to make us laugh. Her children had a loving but independent childhood, always knowing she was there for major issues, but knowing the small issues were ours to overcome. We loved growing up in our big old house in Paradise that was much older than Mom and where Mom lived from the age of 33 to 89. She brought magic to mundane experiences (sourdough bread in the shape of alligators for Sunday dinners and panoramic eggs at Easter are just two examples). She brought this same sense of magic to her grandchildren who love her dearly and who are her most ardent supporters, as well as to her students, whom she taught in Paradise schools for 27 years. She loved teaching and is still remembered fondly by many whom she taught.
In her later years Mom got a lot of pleasure from her involvement with the Gold Nugget Museum, particularly the Days of Living History. She loved helping many Paradise children learn to bake bread in a wood-burning stove, giving them the satisfaction of having created something delicious and useful. She made many good friends in her involvement with the museum and was impressed by the talents of many of the volunteers.
Mom sincerely believed that everyone wants to be a productive person with a sense of self-respect. To that end, she supported causes supporting those goals. She was filling her grocery bag for "A Simple Gesture" and making donations to various causes right up until her death. She will be terribly missed by us all, though we will have a lifetime of humorous stories with which to remember her.
A celebration of Anna's life will be held on Monday, December 10th, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at the Gold Nugget Museum. In lieu of flowers Anna would want you to send donations to The Gold Nugget Museum, Paradise Center for Peace and Non-violence or Paradise Hospice. The addresses are listed above.