Anna Marie Riggs

Anna Marie Riggs, age 103, of Shawnee, Kansas died Saturday, July 31, 2010 at her home. Anna was born January 7, 1907 in Brazil, Iowa, the daughter of Tony and Maria (Kuchan) Buban. In 1929, she married James Riggs in Centerville, Iowa. He preceded her in death in 1988.

Anna grew up on a farm in Mystic, Iowa. She helped her parents and siblings with farm chores. She only attended school through the eighth grade due to her responsibilities on the farm. In her twenties, Anna and several girlfriends moved to Chicago, Illinois to work in a cafeteria. She returned to Mystic in the summer months to help her mother with the canning of vegetables.

Anna and James had four daughters and they moved the family to Windsor, Missouri. In Windsor, they added a son to the family. She was a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and was the President of the Altar Society. Anna loved flowers and loved to work in her beautiful garden. She was a great fisherwoman and enjoyed fishing with her husband. She loved to sew and made many nice things for the home, including beautiful quilts. She continued sewing up until her final days. In 1984, Anna and James moved to Shawnee where she became a member of St. Joseph Church. She enjoyed playing bunco with the ladies of the church.

She loved to travel and visited many sights in the United States. She took a cruise with friends and in 1991 she traveled abroad to Fuzine, Croatia the birthplace of her parents. While in Europe, she also visited Venice, Italy and Medjugorje. In addition to her husband James, Anna was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Mary Buban and Marjorie Kessler; and brothers Frank, Emery, Tommy and Charlie. Survivors include her children; Dorothy (Glen) Tuck, Betty (Bert) Reed, Mary Barkley, Margaret (Lee) Hoehn and James (Katherine) Riggs; 13 grandchildren,16 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be 9:30-10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2010, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Church. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery to follow.