Anna Elizabeth (Sulser) Brownlee was born on her parents' farm northeast of Coin, Iowa, on April 27, 1915, to John and Edna Ella (Annan) Sulser. She passed away peacefully on November 16, 2014, at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, at age 99.

Anna graduated from Coin High School in 1933. She married Dale M. Brownlee, her high school sweetheart, at her parents' home on February 25, 1935. Following their marriage, Dale and Anna farmed near Clarinda and Coin, Page County, Iowa. In 1951, they moved to the home and farm they purchased in Locust Grove Township, Fremont County. On their farm, Dale and Anna raised cattle, hogs and chickens, corn and soybeans, grew a garden for many years, tended flowering beds and enjoyed seasonal displays of plants on the front and back porch. Here they raised their two daughters, Marilyn Joy and Kathryn Sue.

Anna's great loves in life were her faith, her family, her friends, her church family, her community and her home. She was a charter member of the Lincoln Luckies 4-H club in Page County, an organization that remained an integral part of her and her family's life. Anna served as 4-H club leader and completed many home demonstration courses through Iowa State Extension. The Brownlee Family's involvement in community and agriculture was recognized as a WOW-TV Farm Family, by the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association's Farm Family of the Year Award and induction into the Fremont County 4-H Hall of Fame.

Baptized and raised in the United Presbyterian Church in Coin, she later became a loyal member of Locust Grove United Methodist Church. She was active in the United Methodist Women and served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. She received the UMW service pin for her contributions and years of leadership to her church.

Anna loved to travel, visiting family and friends in all corners of the United States, as well as internationally with memorable trips to Canada and Europe. She possessed a sharp mind and life-long passion for learning through daily crossword puzzles, studying her Bible and frequently consulted her well-worn encyclopedias and dictionary--a trait she passed on to her family in encouraging their education and advanced academic and professional pursuits.

A gracious hostess, she loved to entertain family and friends in her home of 63 years. She hosted annual New Year's Eve parties, celebrating each year with a photo of those attending at the stroke of midnight. She greeted trick-or-treaters with excitement at Halloween, also photographed for her special scrapbook. Her dining room table overflowed with family at Thanksgiving, Christmas and reunions. Gatherings always included rousing and lively board games and playing cards late into the night. She enjoyed corresponding with many friends and extended family members through holiday letters and birthday cards.

Anna was a loving farmer's wife and the family matriarch--mother of two, grandmother of six, great-grandmother of nine and friend and grandmother to many more. For her children, grandchildren and extended family, she attended many band and choir concerts, stage plays, sporting events, 4-H presentations, church programs, baptisms, confirmations, graduations and weddings. She taught her family how to cook and bake and knew the story of The Little Red Hen by heart, reciting it at bedtime to each new generation. Her love of family was reflected in the role that perhaps suited her best of all, proud Nana.

Anna was preceded in death by her husband Dale, parents John and Edna Sulser, sister Ina Mae Wolfe and son-in-law Lynn Benson. She is survived by her daughter Marilyn Benson of Sidney, Iowa, and daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Craig Harris of Shenandoah, Iowa; grandchildren and spouses Rod and Kelly Benson, New York City; Kim (Benson) and Ken High, Holly Springs, North Carolina; Brenda (Benson) and Andrew Werth, Wilmette, Ill.; Rebecca (Benson) and Mark Ferley, Chesapeake, Va.; Shannon Harris, St. Paul, Minn.; Chad Harris, Prairie Village, Kan.; sister Arlene Gibson, Shenandoah; brother-in-law Bruce Brownlee, West Des Moines, Iowa; nine great-grandchildren; and dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her favorite Bible verse from Psalm 118, verse 24, hung in her kitchen, "This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Indeed let us rejoice. Let us rejoice and be glad Anna Brownlee was a loving part of our life, for as she always said, "I love you more."

Burial will be held at the Locust Grove Cemetery.

Memorials in Anna's name are being directed to the Locust Grove United Methodist Church or to the charity of the donor's choice.