Anna Saint Germain

ANNA SAINT GERMAIN

Cedar Rapids

Anna Saint Germain, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 13, 2016, in Medford, Ore.

She was born Anna Patricia Barta on March 7, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the seventh of 10 children to Emelie and Joseph Barta. Growing up during the Great Depression was a challenge for her entire family, but she cherished the times when they would picnic together at Ellis Park or have a holiday meal together. Looking back on those years, what she valued most were her mother's examples of character and fortitude.

She met the man of her dreams, Harry, at Woodrow Wilson High School, the start of their 62-year love affair. Interrupted briefly during World War II, Harry asked Anna to wait for him when he left for Europe. Anna did, and also contributed to the war effort working alongside her sister, Dorothy, at Marchant's in Emeryville, Calif., assembling parachutes for the troops. Harry did return, and they married on Sept. 22, 1945.

Anna remembered that when she first met Harry, she would follow him around to try and get his attention. After they married she would continue to follow him, but as way to finally travel and see the world as he accepted jobs outside the USA: first to Spain in 1958 for 10 years, then England for another 10 years. They returned to California in 1978, but soon they were off again to Bahrain for two years, then a trip home through Asia and South America, and then finally Hawaii for two years. She loved traveling so much that when Harry would offer to take her on vacation, she eventually learned to reply with just, "What should I pack?" The destination was not important for Anna; it was the time with Harry.

In 1985, they finally settled in Ramona, Calif. Anna cherished their home, and all the friends she would make in Ramona for the next 30 years, though she still enjoyed their shorter trips around the West Coast. Her last home was The Weatherly Inn in Medford, Ore., and she made numerous new friends in the four months she was a resident there.

She was passionate about a lot of things: her grandchildren, her lifelong love of music and movies, and playing bridge and Scrabble.

She is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Newgard and Patricia Waskow; four children, Michelle Saint Germain, Bryan Saint Germain, Danielle Austin and Steven Saint Germain; and two grandchildren, Darcy Hutchinson and Dayna Austin.

Her ashes will be placed next to Harry's at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery near Point Loma, Calif., so that they may continue their remarkable journey together. A short service is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 28, at 11:15 a.m. PST and everyone is welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, Anna would wish that you make a donation to your favorite charity.