Ann Marie Leuenberger

Ann Marie Leuenberger, 90, died peacefully at home on April 7, 2020 of natural causes.

Ann was born July 20, 1929 to Rachel (Clark) and Edward Long in York, Nebraska. When she was 11 years old, her family moved to Iowa. She graduated high school in New Hampton then attended Iowa State Teachers College. She then taught in a one-room country school for two years. She was married to Leo Leuenberger on June 1, 1948. They farmed in Frederika, Iowa until they moved to Palmer, Alaska in 1973. Ann had a special calling to work with the elderly. While still in Iowa she worked as a recreational therapist in a county home for the disabled. In Alaska she worked and retired from the Palmer Pioneer Home as a recreational therapist. After retiring she did missionary work with the elderly in Kentucky for C.A.P. (Christian Appalachian Project). Since then she has enjoyed gardening, active involvement with the Palmer Lions Club, and visiting with friends. Her greatest joy was her family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with whom she enjoyed parties, sleepovers, trips to the state fair, and playing games.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, sister Dorothy Bergman, daughter Jan Thibodeau, and infant grandson Lance Leuenberger. Surviving are children Ruth (John) Thompson of Brandon, MS, Linda Wehrman of Tacoma, WA, Larry (Rose) of Palmer, and Curtis (Annette) of Palmer; 14 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.

Due to the current world pandemic, a memorial service will be held sometime in the future at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Palmer.