Anna Mae Bergan Davis

Anna Mae Bergan-Davis, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on November 13, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Schmelzer (formerly Lindstrom) Funeral Home in Cresco, and again one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday morning. Burial will take place at the Orleans Cemetery in rural Ridgeway.
Born on October 20, 1943, to Lawrence A. and Bernice J. (Huinker) Buchheit, Anna Mae grew up in Festina, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, where her faith would continue to shape her entire life.
Anna Mae attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Festina for ten years and graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School in Ossian. She went on to complete her training at La'James School of Cosmetology in Mason City. Her career as a cosmetologist brought her to Ann's Beauty Shop in Decorah and The Crown in Cresco-and eventually to countless kitchen-table haircuts, which became a cherished part of her care for family and friends.
In 1965, Anna Mae married Eldon N. Bergan. Together they farmed north of Ridgeway and raised their six children-David, Christine, Michelle, Michael, Renae and Melinda. The births of her children were among her greatest joys. She often said her happiest years were spent watching them work hard at home, in school, and in the world as they chased their dreams. Simple joys of farm life created memories all her children still treasure. Evening trips to Bluffton to cool off in the river after long days of baling hay along with week-long camping trips and watching the endless line of children jumping off of Big Rock became some of her favorite memories from those years.
In 1984, Anna Mae selflessly stepped away from her cosmetology career and began working at Rockwell Collins. For 28 years, she faithfully began her days before sunrise, making the early commute while still managing to leave a handwritten "to-do" list on the kitchen table every morning. Her dedication to both her family and her work was unwavering.
In 2000, Anna Mae married Donald R. Davis, expanding her family to include Tanya, Aaron, Dawn and Min. Together, Don and Mae shared a love for travel and the beauty found in the world around them. Their yearly trips to the Pine Ridge Reservation were especially meaningful as they grew in their appreciation of Native American culture and their shared desire to serve those in need. Kendallville became their favorite camping destination, a place of peace and rest.
Anna Mae knew loss on her journey, and it shaped her into a strong, independent woman whose faith only deepened with time. She found joy in the simple, quiet moments that many overlook: winter sunsets, red morning skies, sunrises filled with promise, and evenings spent by the river listening to rippling water and the soft farewell calls of birds.
In her later years, Anna Mae discovered her newest and greatest joy-her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether she was bundled up in the bleachers, sitting in a folding chair at a summer ballpark, or applauding proudly at concerts and school events, she rarely missed a chance to cheer them on. Her days were brightened by every Snapchat picture and video showing the grandkids playing, farming or simply living their everyday adventures. These moments brought her immeasurable happiness and kept her heart full.
Anna Mae lived a life of service-quiet, constant and wholehearted. At home on the family farm, she found joy in simple acts of care, from mowing the lawn to tending her beautiful flowerbeds. In her community, she gave generously of her time and talents through her work at St. Bridget's and Notre Dame Churches, the Hospital Auxiliary, and many local events. Her servant's heart touched everyone she met. She will be remembered for her gentle strength, her generosity, and the deep love she shared with all around her. Her legacy lives on in her children, her extended family, and all whose lives were brightened by her presence.
Her legacy lives on through her children and their families, including David (Elaine) Bergan of Ridgeway, Chris (Cary) Nason of Marshalltown, Michelle (Darryl) Humpal of Ridgeway, Michael (Monica) Bergan of Timberville, VA, Renae (Jeff) Beneke of Cedar Falls and Melinda (Troy) Murphy of Cresco; step-children: Aaron (Amanda) Davis of Rochester, MN, Tanya (Craig) Fencl of Cresco and Min (May) Davis of Des Moines; grandchildren: Morgan (Michael) Langum, Jared Bergan, Cate and Cassie Nason, Danielle (Mitch) Hageman, Courtney (Trent) Peterson, Hannah and Avery Humpal, Justin (Claire) Bergan, Jess (Brad) DeWitt, Joy Bergan, Ethan and Emily Beneke, Tyler (Kielyn) Murphy, Cody (Justine) Murphy and Mikaela (Chad) Courtney; step-grandchildren: Ashley (Trystan) Fencl, Abby Fencl, Carter, Avery, Lilly and Sophie Davis, Andrew, Autumn and Jordan Schaller, Kalee and Max Davis. Her newest loves, her great-grandchildren: Kinzleigh Langum, Clayton, Levi and Nora Hageman, Natalie Peterson, Sofia, Oliver and Weston Bergan, Casey Bergan, Archer Murphy, Enley Courtney, Tate and Rylee Grube, Elliot and Oliver Schaller; brother Kevin (Nancy) Buchheit, brother in-law Phil French and several nieces and nephews.
Those who welcomed her home in Heaven include the loves of her life, Eldon and Don, her parents, brother Ronnie (Bernice) Buchheit, sister Dianne French and stepdaughter Dawn Davis, along with many other members of the Buchheit, Bergan and Davis families.