Anne Therese Heitz

Anne Therese Fifer Stoppleworth Heitz, 80, of Fort Madison, died unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison Campus.

She was born April 2, 1945 at Burlington, daughter of Thomas and Pauline B. Rauenbuehler Fifer. She married James Stoppleworth in 1968, they later divorced. On April 30, 1983, she married Robert Stair Heitz at Fort Madison.

She was a graduate of St. Augustine Academy in Lakewood, Ohio, Class of 1963. She graduated from Marycrest College in 1968 with a Bachelor degree in English and Social Studies. She graduated from Western Illinois University in 1998 with a Master degree in counseling. Anne worked in education most of her life. She taught at Walcott School in Walcott until 1972. She then owned American Bowl. She returned to teaching in 1986 until 2000. From 2000 to 2004, she worked for the TRiO program at Southeastern Community College. Beginning in 2004, she was guidance counselor at the Fort Madison High School, retiring in 2009. She was an avid reader and enjoyed bridge, yoga, her dogs, spending time with her husband and sons, knitting, physical fitness, baking, and time on her porch with family, friends, and neighbors. After retirement she joined Chapter KV of P.E.O., serving as guard, recording secretary, and president. She served on the Fort Madison Public Library Board and was active with the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a member of two book clubs and several bridge groups.

Anne is survived by her husband, Robert, of Fort Madison; two sons: Paul J. "P.J." Stoppleworth, of Solon, Iowa and Thomas L. Stoppleworth, of Cedar Rapids; three sisters, Jeanne (Ray Nurmi) Baumann, of Marquette, Mich.; Marcia (Jerry) Kramer, of Grand Blanc, Mich.; Lorraine M. (Robert) Keeth, of Englewood, Colo.; three brothers: Timothy L. (Caren) Fifer, of Novi, Michi.; Dr. Theodore D. (Elsa) Fifer, of Effingham, Ill.; Joseph J. (Katie) Fifer, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and beloved nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Thomas Fifer.

Her family will greet friends from 10-11 a.m. Thursday Oct. 9, 2025 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. Private burial will be at Gethsemane Cemetery, Fort Madison. A memorial has been established Fort Madison Public Library. Contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison or at the church the day of services. Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Heitz family, and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.