Anna Conklin

Anna Conklin, 87, formerly of Choteau, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2014 at Cambridge Court in Great Falls of natural causes with family at her side. Cremation has taken place and Gorder Jensen Funeral Home of Choteau is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held at the Choteau United Methodist Church early August 2014. She will be buried in Great Falls with the father of her children at a private family service.



Anna was born October 18, 1926 at the family farm in Burdett, Alberta, Canada. Her parents were Alec Schaafsma and Cornelia Broersma Schaafsma, originally from Friesland, Holland. She attended the Ballman School for her early education and loved school so much that she started a year early and consequently graduated early. After high school she attended school and worked in Vancouver, B.C. for two years. She then moved to Montreal to work for the Netherlands Consulate General as an interpreter during WWII for another two years. Then she was off to Holland and Friesland to visit relatives. After returning to the family farm for a brief time, she moved to Lethbridge where she worked in a bank and met the love of her life. She married Fred G. Thompson, a journeyman printer on April 26, 1951, moved to Great Falls, MT, and they became US citizens. They had 4 children; Patti, George, Fred, and Kandyce. Fred G. died Nov 3, 1966 after gallbladder surgery.



This was an extremely hard time for the family, but Anna pulled her children together and continued on with life, work, and her education. She graduated from the College of Great Falls with a degree in Elementary Education in 1970, the same year Patti graduated from high school. As a single mother, she found the time and means to play with her children and make sure they could pursue activities of interest. She managed to set up all of her kids with ski equipment, clothing, and ski passes at King's Hill. She also found a way to continue the annual family vacation to Swan Lake, bought a boat and helped all her kids learn to water ski. She also managed to maintain one car with a family of five. She was the epitome of teamwork and sharing. She was always a good sport with quite a sense of humor, She was kind, progressive, and philosophical.



She married Richard A. Conklin December 3, 1974, who treated her like a queen, and they had many happy years at Swan Lake, traveling, and dancing. She finally took up snow skiing when she was 50 something, because "her kids were grown and she didn't have to worry about them if she got hurt". Dick passed away in August 1994.



A very creative and talented lady, she enjoyed painting using various mediums, calligraphy, weaving, quilting, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. She enjoyed reading, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, gardening, and being in the sunshine. She was a member of The Choteau United Methodist Church, held offices in various church organizations, and served on several church committees. She was a founding member of the Front Range Art Association and regularly attended the Tuesday morning quilting group at the library. She was a member of Anne's Club and encouraged others to follow their creative dreams.



She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and her brother Andy Schaafsma of Taber, Alberta.



She is survived by her children Patti (Dennis R.) Blauer; A. George (Farideh Esfandi) Thompson; Fred A. H. Thompson; Kandyce D. Thompson; grandchildren Dennis J. (Liz) and Bruce Blauer; Nasim Nassiri; Garrett (Tegan) and Bryce Thompson; Sean and Alec Loftus; great grandchildren Heather Blauer; and Baby T, due to arrive in Helena August 31, 2014; grand dogs Bentley and Lucy; sister Betty Van Egteren of Lethbridge, Alberta and her children; faithful friend Duane Halverson; special friend and business partner Bree Hibbert; and many nieces and nephews who she enjoyed immensely.



The family suggests memorials to FRAA,P.O. Box 3, Choteau, MT 59422, Choteau United Methodist Church, or an organization of your choice.