Anna Lea Tanking

Anna Lea Tanking, 88, Tonganoxie, KS, passed away January 14, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Funeral mass will be 2pm Friday January 17, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family will receive friends for 1 hour prior to the mass. Rosary will be said at 1:45. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Tonganoxie.
Anna Lea was born January 3, 1937, in Pawnee City, NE, the daughter of Edwin C. and Ivy C. (Lockard) Wright. Being a twin only weighing 3 lbs. her determination to live made her the spirited person she became.
She was raised in Centralia, KS on a farm working alongside her father as she was 1of 3 daughters she preferred being outside working rather than inside. She milked cows every day and helped him with many other chores on the farm. She loved riding her horse and belonged to the Saddle club, along with playing basketball and track in high school.
After graduating she worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Topeka, KS as an operator. Soon after she met the love of her life. She was united in marriage to Elmer Tanking on June 13, 1959.
Starting their family the next year, born to them 1 daughter Tammy and 3 sons Mike, Gery and Tracy (Biff). Raising her children was one of her greatest joys in life. When she was blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren, she had so much love and enjoyment for them as well.
Her greatest pleasures were riding her horses, holidays and parties with the family, playing bridge. She loved the snow and traveling to the Rocky Mountains. Nashville was another favorite spot to travel. She was an avid KU basketball and KC Chiefs fan.
She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Tonganoxie, the Sertoma Club, The Sacred Heart Catholic Church funeral dinner committee, the Tonganoxie High School Booster Club, a Bridge Club and a Bunco Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer July 21, 2022. Her parents Chalmer and Caroline, 3 sisters Avis Lavonne, Erma and Alta Marie.
Survivors include three sons, Mike (Donna) Tanking, Tonganoxie, Gery (Debbie) Tanking, Leavenworth, Tracy (Donna) Tanking, Kearney, MO; one daughter, Tammy (Dave) Wasson, Tonganoxie; seven grandchildren Leigh Anna Foster of Hulbert, OK. Jourdan (Clayton Brewer of Edmond, OK. Madison (Jason) Crook of Leavenworth, KS. Garrett Tanking of Springfield, MO. Grant Tanking of Sunrise Beach, MO. Austin Ward of Kansas City, KS. Tanna (Matt) Soetaert of Tonganoxie. Nine great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephew's other relatives and friends.
She will forever be missed and loved by her family.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations in her name to Sacred Heart Church.
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