March 16, 1912 – Jan. 28, 2013
Mary Florence Ancke died Jan. 28, 2013 in Washington state, surrounded by family members. She was 100.
She was born March 16, 1912 in Quinaby, a little stop along the railroads just outside Salem. She was the second-eldest of 12 children born to Albert and Winnie VanValkenberg.
Mrs. Ancke’s hardworking, self-sufficient work ethic took her far in life. In 1947 she helped her husband Reuben build their house in Sweet Home. There she raised her children and lived until 2011, when she sold the home and moved to Washington to live with family.
She took great care to keep up her yard, garden and home. She loved to bake cookies and breads, can fruit, make jam, sew quilts and work on a variety of hand-stitching projects. She also loved to travel, seeing sights from Hawaii to Florida and from Canada to Mexico. She was involved in many activities at her church, Fir Lawn Lutheran.
A highlight of Mrs. Ancke’s year was the annual VanValkenberg family reunion, which brought together five generations. She loved having her family together.
She loved God and others with all her heart.
Mrs. Ancke is survived by her daughters, Donna and son-in-law Les Dorsing, and Betty and son-in-law Jim LaFournaise; son David and daughter-in-law Sheryl Ancke; daughter-in-law Donna Jean Morris; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben Ancke; her oldest son, Jerry Morris; and 10 of her siblings.
Services were held Feb. 1 at Barrick’s Funeral Chapel in Salem.