Anona Marie DeWinter (Olson)

June 24, 1926 - March 1, 2024

Boise, Idaho - Anona "Nani" Dewinter (Johns) died peacefully in her home on Mar. 1, 2024 in Boise, Idaho at the age of 97.

Anona is survived by her brother Duane "Bubs" Johns; Grandchildren, Sean Olson and Jennifer Farley of Nampa, Jason and Michele Olson of Boise, and Heather and Mike O'Donnell of Boise; and Great Grandchildren Ashton, Kennedy, Lily, Madison, Taylor, Dylan and Cayden. She is preceded in death by her 3 sisters Delores, Bernadine & Carolyn, and her 3 sons, Robert, Richard & Randy Olson of Boise.

Anona was born on June 24, 1926 in Nampa, Idaho to parents Bernard and Ada Johns. She graduated from Woodbury College in 1947 with an Associate's degree in Interior Design and Bachelor's degree in Science. She married Robert Olson, and they welcomed 3 wonderful children into the world. After searching for 92 years she found the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Williams, resulting in two amazing years!??

While growing up, she worked with her father in the furniture and upholstery industry and began working for Ennis Fine Furniture in Boise as an Interior Decorator shortly after graduating from college. Her career spanned many decades as the company's lead interior designer and culminated in her developing the very first "Parade Of Homes" and making it an annual event. She also shared her passion for Interior Design for many years as an Instructor at Boise State University.??

Her grandchildren and friends remember her as an energetic socialite with an insatiable work ethic who was "up for anything." day or night. She loved to be surrounded by people. She cherished all her time in McCall. Anona was passionate about nature and often indulged in impressionist-style landscape painting. She was an active and devout member of her church and had a strong Christian faith in the Lord. She spent every minute possible with family and friends in McCall at her beloved cabin on the lake, one of her most favorite places in the world.

Anona's Celebration of Life event is scheduled for April 4, 2024 from 4p-8p at The Train Depot in Boise, Idaho. All who knew her are welcome to attend and celebrate Anona's life. The family would also like to thank Annie Milstead for her tireless efforts to graciously care for Anona in her last few years of life.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho Statesman on Mar. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Anona DeWinter

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9 Entries

Duane Alan Anders

March 26, 2024

Anona will be missed by us at the Cathedral of the Rockies. Pastor Duane

Pam Lawrence

March 24, 2024

Anona was always fashionably dressed, even for our clean-up weekends in McCall. Her smile, hugs and warm personality will be so missed in our summers. My parents (Comer & Billie Brown) also enjoyed Anona and their friendship. She will be deeply missed @ KP Cove. Hugs and love sent to the Olson families from ours.

Lisa Taylor

March 22, 2024

Anona. I will miss her! She would always welcome me to McCall and we would share an ice cream bar. She gave me a tour of her place when I was there a while back. Vintage and amazing! She will be missed! Lisa Taylor

Tim Roden

March 20, 2024

Anona was a fixture at KP Cove in McCall. She rarely missed a clean-up weekend and was such welcoming neighbor to new members over the years. I was fortunate to know Anona my entire life both in McCall and Boise. She will be missed, but what an extraordinary life and legacy!

Nancy Thomson

March 18, 2024

I didn't get to know Anona for a very long time, but the 5 years I knew her changed me into a better person. I hope when my time comes to go home to the Lord my friends and family think the same of me!

Pam Simpson

March 17, 2024

Anona was such an inspirational lady and always a smile and good words. I have great memories of our 2 families in McCall and many Parade of Homes between she and my parents (Simpson Builders). Loved her dearly. Pam Simpson

Nancy Adams Uhl

March 17, 2024

Anona was one of my mother's best friend from early age. Anona always treated my sister and I as her daughters. I'm so sorry that I didn't keep up with her after my mom died. Bless her.

Brent Johns

March 14, 2024

As Anona`s nephew, when I was a little boy, and was learning how to spell, I realized that her name, ANONA, was spelled the same forwards as it was backwards. This led to her always calling me "TNERB", being my name, Brent, backwards. This also lead to a lifetime of postcards, letters, and Facebook messages sent back-and-forth between us, always written backwards.

Cindy Kay Marlow

March 14, 2024

What a bright light Anona brought to the lives of everyone she met. She embraced us all with love and kindness. I don't think she ever met a stranger! She was adopted into so many families, the Perkins clan being one. For over 40 years, Roger, Joyce, and 4 generations of their family basked in Anona's love and friendship. She will be missed but the memories of a well-lived life will continue far into the future.

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