Anna Belle L. Ward, age 82, of Pharr, Texas, and formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa, died March 18, 2008 at McAllen Medical Hospital in McAllen,Texas, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Anna Belle L. Anderson, the daughter of William A. and Irene (Stafford) Anderson, was born on August 9, 1925 at Schaller, Iowa.  She lived her youth in the Schaller area and was a graduate of Hayes Consolidated School.

Anna Belle was united in marriage to Nazareth “Rudy” Ward on June 15, 1943. The couple was blessed with one son, William Rudolph Ward.  Anna Belle and Rudy lived in Storm Lake during their working years and enjoyed their retirement years at Winterhaven Village in Pharr, Texas.  Anna Belle loved to travel and was privileged to travel to 35 countries, including trips to Jerusalem and China in 2004 for the second time.  She was a former member of St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in McAllen, Texas.  Anna Belle was very active in her church and especially enjoyed the Altar Guild.

Those who will always honor Anna Belle’s memory include her daughter-in-law, Mary Ward of Storm Lake; two grandsons: Randy Ward and his wife, Cindy, of Omaha, Nebraska and Ron Ward and his wife, Treva, of Wichita, Kansas; two great-grandsons: Chase and Owen; a great-granddaughter, Aubrey; her brother and sister-in-law, William A. and Vivian Anderson of Alta, Iowa; one aunt, Donna Doll, of Decatur, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Anna Belle was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rudolph, on December 4, 2003; her son, William (Andy), on August 29, 1997; and a grandson, Richard Ward.

Blessed be the memory of Anna Belle L. Ward.