Anne Thompson

ANNE CONWAY THOMPSON

Fort Collins, Colo.

Anne Conway Thompson passed away into God's arms to be with her beloved husband, Ralph "Tommy" Thompson, in heaven on Dec. 6, 2017.

Anne is survived by her family that includes: Ronald (Diane) Thompson, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Ransdell (Nickie) Thompson, Oconomowoc, Wis., and David (Katherine) Thompson, Fort Collins, Colo.; along with eight grandchildren, Jessica, James (Maria) and Laura Thompson, Christopher (Jenni), Gwen Anne (Eric Clyse), Will Thompson and Adeline and Colter Thompson; as well as eight great-grandchildren, Zachary, Lindsey and Claire Thompson, Kaitlyn and McClane Thompson, Cole Braeger-Clyse, Rhys Braeger-Clyse and soon to be born, Grant Clyse.

Anne was born Jan. 31, 1927, in Kissimmee, Fla., to Arabella Kamps Johnson and James Willis Johnson.

She grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., excelled in school and took on a position as an administrative assistant to the commander of the Naval Air/Tech Center there in 1945. Anne supported her family after the untimely death of Willis. Working at the airbase, she heard the commander speak highly of a recruit from Iowa who showed promise as a leader. Ralph Thompson, nicknamed "Tommy," and Anne eventually met, fell in love and married in Jacksonville on June 14, 1947.

In June of 1948, they moved to Iowa to start a family at "the home farmstead" in Buck Creek, Iowa. Anne, with that beautiful Southern accent, became "accustomed" to the rural farm life and soon found herself milking cows and doing chores. Through many challenges, including tough moves from farm life to town life, from career changes to the struggles of raising a family, Anne and Tommy eventually retired at Oakland Acres, a serene lake and golf course community they enjoyed together near Grinnell, Iowa.

Throughout, Anne was always busy with her lifelong passions, which included nature, art, music, history, gardening, poetry, literature, genealogy, archaeology, research, astronomy, mystery and, above all, her devotion to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Her lush gardens were noted for their beauty and species of flowers and plants. Anne often shared garden roots with friends and family that continue to grow in gardens to many of those she touched even today.

Anne's work in genealogy traced heritage back to Europe, including her family's southern lineage to Virginia roots and George Washington. "Miss Anne" held deep ties with family in Virgina, and worked diligently to keep the bond with them throughout her life.

In 2005, Anne and Tommy embarked upon their golden years in Fort Collins, Colo., where David, Katherine and family assisted them on their final ride to reach eternity….together again in the love they shared for one another.

Memorial services and celebration of life will be held in the afternoon on June 9, 2018, at the Buck Creek United Methodist Church, in Buck Creek, Iowa, with interment at the Buck Creek Cemetery.