Ann Marie (Burkhiser) Maher, the eldest of seven children, the daughter of Gilbert and Thelma (Ryan) Burkhiser was born on December 18, 1943 and passed away on Friday October 24, 2014 at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

Ann attended Farragut Community Schools and graduated in 1962. After high school she attended St. Catherine's School of Nursing in Omaha, NE and graduated in 1965 as an RN. Upon graduating Ann worked at Bergan Mercy Hospital in the Cardiac Care Unit.

On October 11, 1969 Ann was married to Robert Maher at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah. From this union six children were born whom Ann considered her most precious gifts in life.

During their early years of marriage Ann and Bob fulfilled their dream of living on the farm, where they milked dairy cows and enjoyed the hard work of the farm.

In 1975 Ann went back to work as a Public Health Nurse in Taylor County where she worked for 28 years. She renewed her love for nursing and caring for all those in need. She was instrumental in making new health programs available to Taylor County and WIC programs in SW Iowa.

One of Ann's proudest moments was when she was able to purchase her own acreage south of Corning, where she and her children moved to in 1990.
Ann enjoyed traveling which included several trips abroad with her family. She would spend hours looking at her world atlas dreaming of her next adventure.

After retiring in 2003, she found joy in providing care for local children who referred to her as their "nanny" - Ann loved them like her own grandchildren and had a special place in her heart for them.

In the summer, Ann would spend many hours working in her yard and garden. She took great pride in growing beautiful flowers, making huge family meals and baking dozens of sugar cookies at Christmas.

In 2010 she sold her home south of Corning and moved to Boone to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Even though she loved being closer to her family, she missed her garden, flowers, kitties and local neighbors.

Ann was a member of the Catholic Church and Altar Society.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents; Gilbert and Thelma Burkhiser.

Left to cherish Ann's memory include her six children, twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren: Children: Julie (Kevin) Kordick of Boone, Laura (Mike) Davidson of Des Moines, John (Stephanie) Maher of Lillington, NC, Paul Maher of Des Moines, Amy (Todd) Krauth of Urbandale, Mark Maher of Johnston. Grandchildren: Matthew and Andrew Kordick, Ashley, Zach, Amber, Emily and Harley Davidson, Jeremy West, Logan and Ethan Maher, Emma and Charlee Krauth. Great Grandchildren: Gabriella Davidson, Anthony, Andrew and Landon Jones. Siblings: Beth (John) Hughes of Colorado Springs, CO, John Burkhiser (friend Bev Saye) of Farragut, Rita (Don) Cox of Omaha, NE, Robert (Mary) Burkhiser of Farragut, Louis (Janet) Burkhiser of Farragut and Tom (Barb) Burkhiser of Red Oak, Aunts Ruth (Bruce) Majerus of Marion and Marcella Ryan of Shenandoah along with many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the William R. Bliss Cancer Center and/or Israel Family Hospice House.

Burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.