Anna Lillian Spiess, the daughter of John and Emma (Anderson) Gunnarson, was born July 27, 1917, in Alta, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in the Webb, Iowa, area where she received her education at the Webb School and spending her senior year at Marathon High School, graduating in 1935. After her schooling, she remained in Webb.
Lillian married Kenneth Spiess on November 30, 1940, in Truesdale, Iowa. Following their marriage, they farmed in the Webb area and belonged to Grace Lutheran Church in Marathon, Iowa.
On May 17, 1942, a daughter Emmy Lou was born. A son, John was born on April 27, 1950.
Lillian and Ken moved to Spencer, Iowa in 1975. They enjoyed many good times while wintering in Mesa, Arizona. They belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer, and were very active in the church. She was a past member of the 20th Century Federated Club in Webb. Lillian was a devoted wife and mother, and was always by her husband’s side during his long battle with cancer. She was very proud of her children and loved to spend time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She passed away on Friday, March 15, 2019, at the age of 101. Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth in 2011; two brothers: Verner and Arthur Gunnarson.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Emmy Lou and husband, Cal Ball of Hubbard, IA; son, John and wife, Julie Spiess of Spencer, IA; grandsons: Greg Ball and wife, Julie of Colo, IA, Brad Ball of Las Vegas, NV, Chris Spiess and wife, Dina of Old Bridge, NJ, Jay Spiess and wife, Kelly of Hopkins, MN; granddaughters: Tracy and husband, Jay Meade of Tucson, AZ, Janelle and husband, John McEntee of Spencer, IA; great- grandchildren: Jessica and husband, Brandon Winter of Hubbard, IA, Chad Ball and wife, Chelsie of Hubbard, IA, Chelsey Chase and Cassidy Meade of Tucson, AZ, Matthew and Olivia Spiess of Old Bridge, NJ, Avery and Alayna McEntee of Spencer, IA; Jackson Spiess of Hopkins, MN; great-great grandchildren: Hayes, Charley Ann and Hudson Winter and Dallas and Jolie Ball, all of Hubbard, IA; other relatives and friends.
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