Anna Suella Brenneman

Anna Suella Brenneman, age 89, of Fairfield, passed away Friday, October 4, 2019 at her daughters’ home where she had lived and called home for the past 6 ½ years. Anna was with family at the time of her passing.

Visitation for family & friends will be 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2019, at Behner Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 9, 2019, in Fairfield at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Cecil officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield, IA. A luncheon for family and close friends will be held at the Disciples of Christ Christian Church in Fairfield, IA

Anna was born to Charles Early Wheatly and Anna Beatrice McCullough on January 1st, 1930 in Fairfield, IA where she attended Logan Elementary School, Fairfield High School and graduated from Parsons College. Anna was active in Chapter C PEO, Presbyterian Women’s Club and was co-superintendent for Presbyterian Sunday school for many years. In later years she helped with JOY night at the Church. Anna joined the Christian Church in 2014 and enjoyed the services and helping with the Soup Suppers.

Anna married Foster Eugene Brenneman on August 11, 1956 at Barhydt Chapel on the Parson College campus. Anna worked as a secretary at Parsons for several years and at the Fairfield High School office as the secretary for many years. She loved keeping track of students who went to school there when she worked there.

Anna and Foster took a group of Parson’s German students to study for 2 months in Germany in 1962 and she and Foster enjoyed meeting German families and kept in touch with them for years following. She and Foster also took many trips around the US and overseas and enjoyed both the sightseeing and the friends they made

In 1964 Anna and Foster had their daughter Suella Frances. Anna stayed home with Suella until middle school. She also spent a lot of time with her mother, Beatrice and Aunt Vera.

Anna and her mother made many needlework crafts together.  She carried on that tradition making beautiful Christmas stockings, tree skirts, Christmas ornaments.  Anna made clothes for both herself, Suella and many outfits for Suella’s Barbie's. She made over 900 needlepoint keychains for graduating seniors over the past 14 years.

Anna went back to work in the Fairfield school system when Suella was in middle school substituting in the office and the kitchens. She then went back to work full time in the Superintendent’s office until she retired in 1992.

In later years Anna continued to keep busy working at various part time jobs just to “help out” and many were at places where Suella worked or volunteered.

In 1988 Anna and Foster had their first grandchild followed by 3 more. Anna loved her grandchildren, Gene, Tylor, Courtney and Jacob. She helped watch and play with them when they were children.  They loved their Grandma and Papa VERY much. She loved watching all the kids with their sporting and other events as they grew. As the grandchildren became adults and married, she was blessed with 9 amazing great grandchildren and so enjoyed time with them and they with her.

The past 8 years Anna volunteered at Parkview Care Center.  She loved eating lunch at McDonalds with the Pilcher Construction crew and helping Jesse and Suella at work until health no longer allowed her to.

​Anna had a big heart, children and adults gravitated around her as she was always willing to be a part of their activities.

She is survived by her daughter Suella Pilcher (Jesse) grandchildren Gene Pilcher (Beth), Tylor Pilcher (Emily), Courtney Meinders (Tyler), Jacob Pilcher (Katie) and 9 Great Grandchildren, Landen, Keegan, Jaxen, Calvin, Alleigh, Macy, Reggie, Thea and Madeline.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Beatrice Wheatley, Aunt Vera McCullough and Uncle Richard McCullough, her husband Foster Brenneman and a granddaughter in law Amber Pilcher

Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus (additional needs for patients and their family), Alzheimer’s Association or the Disciples of Christ Christian Church. Cards and memorials may be mailed to Suella Pilcher 1117 East Madison, Fairfield, IA 52556.

Special Thank you to Michael Schleicher, NP, Teresa Vice, RN, entire Hospice Compassus team with special thanks to our nurse Lynn Smith and our loving caregivers (Carla Fleig, Courtney Meinders and Katie Pilcher) the last two years.