Anna Visser

Whatever people called her over the years (Anna Lee, Anna, Mom, Grandma, Grannie Annie); they were all enriched by the warmth, optimism, and incredible strength of Anna Lee (Jones) Visser. Anna peacefully passed away after a long, grueling fight against M.S. on October 5, 2019, surrounded by family and loving caregivers. Anna was born May 10, 1946, in Fordyce, Arkansas to Lewis and Bonnie Sue Jones. These new young parents had no idea what a spirited child had joined their family. Two years later her little sister, Lynda, completed the family. Anna was always hatching creative activities for the two that often led to mischief. Lew's career with Boeing led Anna to grow up all around the country. Her friendly nature blossomed as she moved to Wichita, Kansas; Caribou, Maine; Roswell, New Mexico; and Ogden, Utah by the tender age of sixteen. Very shortly after graduating from Ben Lomond High School, Anna's life changed. On July 5, 1964, she delivered root beer and burgers to a carload of boys during her shift at A&W. Carl Visser's blue eyes and crooked smile entranced her, and she told a co-worker that she was going to marry him. She did just that on September 10, 1965. Less than three months after the wedding, she discovered she was going to be a mom, a role that she grew into and cherished above any other. Her children, Kristen, Kim, and Casey became the center of her world, and she enjoyed being a homemaker. Though she was strict and no-nonsense when it came to discipline, she was also very affectionate and devoted to navigating her children's interests to grow closer to them. She may have preferred to listen to Elvis or tune into soap operas, but she would often defer the radio to her daughters' favorite teen idols or let her son watch Star Wars for the fifteenth time. In 1976, Carl accepted a job in Billings, Montana, and Anna planted her roots here. As Anna was busily overseeing her growing family, she began to develop strange physical symptoms that stumped doctors for a number of years. In 1983 she learned that she had Multiple Sclerosis. Unfortunately her disease was progressive in nature, and Anna gradually lost many physical abilities that most of us take for granted. As her health declined, her patience, gratitude, and strength increased. Anna was an amazingly optimistic individual. She showered compliments on those around her and brightened other's days with her smile and kind words. With the loving care of her husband and his coordination of a crew of caregivers, Anna was able to live at home until 2013. She loved to have her grandkids visit and hear about their lives. She lived for holidays, family dinners, and shopping of any kind (preferably for her kids or grandkids). Anna and her family dreaded the thought of her life in a nursing care facility, but when her medical needs became too great, she accepted her final challenge and adapted to Valley Health Care/Bella Terra. She enjoyed the other residents and staff and could be found zipping down the halls in her electric wheel chair going from activity to activity. She exemplified endurance and bravery, and we will miss her so much. We thank her for willing herself to survive many health crises so that we could have just a bit more time and create more memories with her. She is survived by her mother, Bonnie Sue Jones; her husband, Carl; children, Kristen (Bob) Christnacht of West Linn, Oregon; Kim (Tom) Webber and Casey (Bridett) Visser of Billings, Montana; grandchildren, Melissa (Tyler) Weber, Hannah (Will) Christnacht, and Grant Christnacht, Carter and Emma Webber, Rosalyn and Hayden Visser; sister, Lynda (Phil) DeShazo of Napa, California; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her father, Lewis Jones, preceded her in death. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to all of Anna's devoted friends and caregivers throughout the years both in her home and at Bella Terra. Your kindness and compassion was a lifeline for all of us and will never be forgotten. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, Oct. 11 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center at 2929 Belvedere with viewing before the service at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, make a donation to your choice of charity.