Anna Marie Gilliam

Anna Marie Gilliam, 83, of Greenleaf, Kansas, died Friday, February 25, 2011 at her home. A rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greenleaf. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 1 at the church. Father David Metz officiated. Sheila Ouellette played the organ while Dr. James Smart sang "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Garden". Other music included “Amazing Grace” and "On Eagles Wings". Granddaughters, Anna Cottle and Katie Nason, played prelude and closing song “When the Saints Go Marching In”. The first reading was read by grandson, Jefferson Simmons. The second reading was read by grand-daughter, Gabryelle Gilliam. The gift bearers were grandchildren, Brent, Riley and Shelby Showalter, and Jack Gilliam. The servers were grandchildren, Lauren and Tyler Simmons. The Eucharistic Minister was Bruce Simmons. The pallbearers were Bruce Simmons, Troy Showalter, Randy Nason, Jefferson Simmons, Michael Gilliam and Kyle Gilliam. Burial was in the church cemetery. Anna Marie was born October 31, 1927, to William and Fannie (Wallace) Klee on the family farm south of Barnes. This was her home until she married. Anna Marie was the oldest of five children. Her mother died when Anna Marie was fifteen years old. She and her younger sisters did the household chores in pre-REA days. The meals were prepared on the wood stove, bread was baked, beef was canned in the winter, the garden was planted, clothes were washed on the wash board and ironed with the flat irons heated on the wood stove, as well as making the clothes they wore, and sometimes helping with the farm work. Anna Marie attended Jordan Grade School and graduated from Barnes High School and Kansas State University. Anna Marie always wanted to be a teacher and so much enjoyed her profession. She taught at Banner Country School, the primary grades at Barnes Grade School, and was the commerce teacher at Barnes High School before her marriage. After her children were all in school, she returned to teaching. She substituted a semester as the commerce teacher at Morrowville High School, and then taught for many years as the kindergarten teacher at Greenleaf Grade School. She always said being the kindergarten teacher was a great privilege and brought her much happiness. In June 1952, Anna Marie married Timothy E. Gilliam, who survives. Her home has been the farm north of Greenleaf for the past 58 years. Anna Marie loved farm life and never ventured far. She spent a great deal of time in her garden and caring for her children. She was a strong believer in education, with all of her children graduating from Washington High School and Kansas State University, pursuing careers in farming, engineering, accounting, and law. She loved farm life but wanted her children to know that there was a world beyond the farm. Anna Marie was the mother of Peggy Ann, Timothy Brad, Michael Eugene, John Brent, Jerry Patrick, Kathy Marie, and Mary Beth, all who survive along with their spouses and children. Anna Marie is also survived by two sisters, a brother, and one sister-in-law. A memorial fund has been established and contributions will go into the Wayne R. Elliott Scholarship Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Anna Marie Gilliam, please visit our flower store.