Anne Schwenke

Anne Schwenke was born on April 6, 1919 to Elizabeth and Henry Conroy of Wigan, England. She had seven sisters and three brothers. After her formal education, Anne worked in an ammunitions plant during World War II and at this time she met her husband, Bill. She became a proud American citizen in 1952. Anne was primarily a homemaker who loved to cook for her family and friends. She did work a few years as a waitress for the Maid-Rite, Town House, and the Dug-Out cafes then later became a cook at the Sigourney Care Center before retiring.
Anne was very active in the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary for many years and was selected to be their National Soloist in 1956. She was honored to sing at the V.F. W. National Convention in Dallas, Texas before many dignitaries such as Richard Nixon. Anne enjoyed singing in church and publicly when requested. Anne was a member of St. Mary's Altar & Rosary and enjoyed baking for many of their functions. After retirement, she and Bill traveled back to England, Scotland and loved the trips to visit their children in various locations of the United States.
Survivors include her daughter, Karen (Jim) Billman of Madisonville, KY, and sons, Malcolm (Wanda) Schwenke of Longview, TX, Gordon (Nancy) Beesley of Bloomingdale, IL, her sisters, Irene Mailey, Margaret (Johnny) Kearsley, sister-in-law, Rita Conroy all of Wigan, England; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was very proud of her grandchildren and loved to share stories about them and their activities.
Anne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; sisters, Nellie, Katharine, Sarah, Mary and Pat; brothers, Henry, James and Ronnie, and two grandchildren in infancy.

Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney, Iowa is in charge of arrangements. Christian Wake service will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sigourney at 10:30 a.m. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Altar & Rosary or Manor House Care Center in Sigourney.