Anna "Ann" Frances Boerstler

Anna Frances Eades was born into this world a century ago this summer in the tiny town of Bonita, LA. Her parents were Velmer and Selma Eades. At 12, she became an older sister for the first and only time. She loved the role and doted on her little sister, Nancy Elizabeth. Her father’s job transfers, combined with the struggles of the Great Depression, meant she attended a different school each of her high school years. Despite the many moves and new schools, Ann was a strong student and loved learning. She graduated from Sulphur Springs High School with the highest GPA in her class. She would have been named Valedictorian, but the honor went to another student who had gone to school there the entire year. From there, Ann enrolled in East Texas State Teacher’s College (now Texas A&M at Commerce) where she earned an English degree. It was there while working in the Publications Office she met the love of her life, Bob Boerstler. Bob was editing a newspaper for the Army Specialized Training Program. She helped him with the answer to a crossword puzzle, something she would continue to do throughout their long marriage. Ann recalls that they didn’t have a car while dating so they walked to movies or out to get coffee. She and Bob were married on June 30, 1944, in the pastor’s study at First Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA, prior to Bob going overseas in WWII. While he was away, Ann worked as a “Cub Reporter” for the Shreveport Times where she collected and coordinated the publishing of the hometown well-wishes from soldiers overseas. Ann and Bob were married for 61 years before Bob’s passing in 2006. Ann’s family remembers her most for a loving heart that knew no bounds. This was demonstrated through her commitment to her family and to the First United Methodist Church where she spent decades as a Sunday School and VBS teacher and active member of the FUMC Family Campers. She had a strong Christian faith and would read her Bible and a devotional every morning. She was a 25+ year member and volunteer with the Girl Scouts and at Camp Wah-Shah-She. Ann tutored Vietnamese-American students, being instrumental in their learning the English language and going on to achieve advanced degrees. Well into her 90s, she continued volunteering with Project Transformation, a summer reading program for youngsters. Memories of summer camping trips to Lake Eufaula, rambunctious Christmases in her Bartlesville home, and her smiling face present for every important life event will bring comfort to the three generations who mourn her passing. Ann leaves behind four daughters who are still here because they knew what it meant when she said, “Don’t make me come back there” on family car trips. These daughters are Marianne Price of Weatherford, OK; Susan Mingus and husband David of Collinsville, OK; Lisa Watson of Edmond, OK; and Robbie Leggett of the home. Her grandchildren contradict the claim that she was ever stern, except for maybe that one time. Making this argument are: Amanda Price and husband Lee of Yukon, OK; Megan Huntley and husband Ben of Edmond, OK; Meryl Pye and husband Jason of Moore, OK; Brittany Gilles and husband Dillon of Saginaw City, TX; Jenny Mingus of Collinsville, OK; Chris Mingus of Collinsville, OK; and Hannah Leggett of Oklahoma City. Finally, her three great-grandchildren, Keegan, Sebastian, and Skylee, remember her loving smile and kind conversations with them. In heaven waiting for her are her husband Bob; grandson Lucas Watson; son-in-law Lessley Price, her only sibling, Nancy (Eades) McCollum as well as her parents, in-laws, and numerous friends who have gone before her. She made her mark on this world and made it a better place because of her love. Memorial donations may be made to: Bartlesville First Church, Summer Reading Program, 4715 Price Rd., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 16th, 10 a.m., at Bartlesville First Church, with The Rev. Dr. Greg Teener and The Rev. Dr. David Mingus officiating. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Anna "Ann" Frances Boerstler

July 16, 1923 - May 11, 2023