Anna Marie Dickerson (Jankus)
(1910-2007)
Anna Marie Dickerson passed away October 7th, 2007. She was 96. Her last place of residence was the Alpine Terrace Nursing Home in Kerrville, Texas. Born Oct. 17, 1910 in Sweet Briar, North Dakota to John Jankus and Emilie (Schiller) Jankus, Ann (who went by ‘Annie’ as a kid) was raised and educated in country schools at Lyons. During her teen years, Ann worked in the neighboring town of Mandan, ND. Including working at the Lewis & Clark Hotel. I’m guessing she met her future husband in Mandan.
In 1946, she married Leo Edward Dickerson. The couple lived on James Avenue in the Uptown area of Minneapolis, MN before purchasing a house a few miles away.
After her husband passed away in 1960, Ann joined the American workforce while continuing to raise her son. Ann worked for many years at Woolworth’s (which was located in Southdale’s basement) before retiring. Ann was a longtime communicant of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and assisted with various activities. Aside from church, Ann enjoyed her family, reading, watching the news, and maintaining an astutely manicured lawn. She made a mean apple pie. She watched a few soaps during the day and let me watch Doctor Who at night.
In 2000, Ann left her home of more than fifty years and moved to be with her son and daughter-in-law in NH. From NH, she relocated to TX, again following her son. Ann was one of five siblings. Two preceded her in death (Henry and Tillie Jankus) and two died after Ann’s death in 2007 (Helen and Albert).
Writing this in 2022, few are around who remember Ann (I mean, she was born over 100 years ago). Ann could be tough and deterministic. Whether that was her personality or a result of fending for herself since her husband died 50+ years earlier, I don’t know. What I do know is she had a big heart for her family. I fondly remember reading in her backyard of 3944 Ewing Ave. in Minneapolis and being plied with a steady progression of root beer floats (courtesy of Ann). She is missed.