Joann Rae Schantz Anderson

Our beloved Wife, Mother, and Grammy passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Joann Rae Schantz Anderson was born in December 7, 1936 in Gary, Indiana to Raymond Schantz and Alice Beckman Schantz. She was raised in Indiana and received her teaching degree from Drake University. Drake is where she met her husband of over 54 years, George Harris Anderson. They were married on August 24, 1956.\r\n \r\nThey moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1960. She taught middle school and George worked as a pharmacist. In 1963, George took a job as a pharmacist at the Los Alamos Medical Center until 1969. In 1965, the family moved to Los Alamos and in 1969 they bought Draggon Drugs, later known as Anderson Pharmacy. While being a full-time mom, she went on to receive her RN from the Collage of Santa Fe and then went on to work in labor and delivery for many years at the Los Alamos Medical Center. She was also a Stephens Ministry volunteer, a volunteer at the Los Alamos Medical Center, volunteered at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and worked with the Visiting Nurses and Hospice. She will always be remembered for her love of family, church, and all living things. She had a big heart, infectious smile, gentle spirit, and a warm hug.\r\n \r\nShe is survived by her loving husband, George of Los Alamos; her two sons, Chris (Kathy) of Park City, UT, Mark of Madrid, NM; her three grandchildren: Rachel, Sean and Matthew of Park City, UT; her sister-in-law, Greta Fernald (Graham) of Seattle, WA; and her nieces and their families.\r\n \r\n She is preceded in death by her father, Raymond Schantz; mother, Alice Schantz Peterson; step-father, Harold Peterson; and many of her beloved four-legged friends.\r\n \r\nFuneral service will be on Monday, April 18, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2390 North road, Los Alamos, NM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos or Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000. The family of Joann Rae Schantz Anderson have entrusted he care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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