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Anna Wise Obituary

September 2, 1963 - November 28, 2015
Family, friends, and colleagues are mourning the passing of pastor, mentor, teacher, and friend, the Rev. Anna Melin Erickson Wise. She died peacefully on November 28, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 52.

Anna touched the hearts of many people in her ministry and in her personal life. She treasured her family and friends. She was a good listener with a gentle spirit and a quick wit. She had a remarkable curiosity and memory for names, faces, relationships, children, and details of peoples' lives. She was passionate about her love for the Lord and never reluctant to share her faith.

Born in 1963 in Yakima, Washington, Anna graduated from Wapato High School in 1981; attended Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition in 1985; and attended Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1988.

Following graduation, she served at Abington Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia; was Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families at First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio from 1991 until 1996; later served at San Pedro Presbyterian, Wellspring Presbyterian, and Grace Presbyterian; and was a chaplain at Northeast Baptist Hospital, Bluebonnet Hospice, Hospice Inspiris of Texas, and Vitas Hospice in San Antonio.

Anna shared her joyful countenance and the light of Christ to people in all corners of the globe on mission trips. She was active in her denomination and the community. As a teenager, she became the youngest ordained Elder at First Presbyterian Church, Yakima.

Anna married Bob Wise, an architect, in 1998. They were faithful and active in their church and went on many domestic and foreign mission trips. They traveled extensively, including to Paris on their honeymoon and 10th Wedding Anniversary, and to England, Scotland, Israel, Belgium, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

Survivors include her husband, Bob Wise, AIA, San Antonio; parents Fred and Patricia Erickson, Yakima, Washington; brother Andrew Erickson (Caroline), Yakima, Washington; brother Peter Erickson (Becky), Zillah, Washington; brother Robbin Erickson (Maria), Wapato, Washington; sister Mary Carlsen (Scott), Seattle, Washington; and six nieces and two nephews.

The family thanks the many health care workers who cared for Anna: neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Bogaev, oncologist Dr. Lisa Fichtel, cancer researcher Dr. Andrew Brenner, CTRC at UTHSCSA; Drs. Marta Penas-Prada and Filip Janku, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; and the staff of Interim Hospice, San Antonio. As Dr. Brenner said, his job is to put himself out of work!

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 7, at First Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Alamo St. Reception to follow.

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

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Dec. 6, 2015.

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2 Entries

Carrol Green

December 6, 2015

My prayers to Bob and Ana's family. Ana was an amazing woman who touched so many lives. I will never for her wedding to Bob was a glorious day. Prayers I send.
Carrol green

Susan & Chester Stieler

December 6, 2015

Bob, please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss. We only knew her for a short time while he was at San Pedro, but she performed our daughter's wedding. May our Lord give you comfort in the days to come.

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