Anna Esther Meyers, 93, of Lena passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 with family by her side. She was born at home in rural Orangeville, IL on November 13, 1930 to Walter and Anna (Baumert) Brandli. As the daughter of a cheesemaker, her family moved to Lena to the Excelsior Cheese Factory. She attended Excelsior country school prior to her family moving to Lena and graduated from Lena High School in 1949. She worked at the Lena Drug Store after school as a “soda jerk”. As a child, she spoke both Swiss and English and played the accordion.
She married her high school sweetheart, Harold “Spud” Meyers, Sr. on April 22, 1950. After their marriage, they began farming in Lena. Anna worked alongside “Spud” in the daily operations of the family farm, which included corralling cattle, driving tractors, doing chores and running for parts. One of her greatest sources of joy was raising their children: Linda, Christine, Pauline, Harold, Jr. “Mike”, Lisa & Mark. She treasured the time that she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren attending as many events as she could. Anna was a wonderful cook and baker. She also grew a large garden and would preserve the fruits of her labor to feed family and friends. In the 1980’s she began working at AJ’s Lena Maid Meats until she retired in 2006.
She was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also a member of Home Extension and Lena Woman’s Club. Some of her hobbies included her vegetable and flower gardens, knitting, quilting, bus trips, playing euchre with her card clubs and joining a ladies bowling league at the age of 80. She also enjoyed going to see plays, walking, and visiting with neighbors.
As a child, she traveled by boat with her parents to visit their homeland, Switzerland. In 2013, she enjoyed a return trip by plane with her family to visit some of the places that she remembered visiting as a child. In 2015, she also enjoyed a trip to Alaska to visit her granddaughter’s family.
Anna is survived by her four children: Christine Bartelt of Winslow, Pauline (Paul) Cyborski of Rockford, Lisa (Bart) Conrad of Anderson, Indiana, and Mark (Lori) Meyers of Lena. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Jason) Kempel, Kimberly Leamon, Karen (Adam) Norling, David (Brittany) Cyborski, Annie (Jon) Lohrenz, Carolyn (Philip) Cowden, LeeAnn Meyers, Kayla (Mark) Hinton, Matthew (Katelyn Kimm) Conrad, Daniel (Kenzie) Conrad, Joseph (Holly) Conrad, Mark (Sara) Meyers and Malissa (Jed) Shultz. Great-Grandchildren: Owen, Emma & Lucas Kempel; Alexander Leamon; Breton, Leif, Burke, Lindy & Ella Norling; Jacob Cyborski; Clara, Samuel, Caleb & Lisbeth Lohrenz; Oliver & Jack Cowden; Walter & Henry Hinton; Waylon, Weston & Winton Meyers; Preston, Brycen & Ryan Shultz; Brother: Paul Brandli; Sister: Beatrice (Richard) Moritz; Sister-in-law Sandra Brandli as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends along with special family friend Scot Raymer.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Harold “Spud” Meyers, children Linda Leamon & Harold “Mike” Meyers, Jr.; son-in-law Steve “Herm” Bartelt; brother Walter Brandli; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Uhe, Marian “Cel” Fransen and Burdene Meyers and brothers-in-law Donald Meyers, Eugene Uhe and Don Fransen.
A Catholic Mass will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lena, IL.
A visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lena, IL.
Father Andrew Hernandez will officiate the services.
Burial will follow Mass at the Lena Burial Park.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.
