Anna Mae Andrews

A nna Mae (Bartak) Andrews, of Kearney, NE, formerly of North Platte, is dancing again with her husband, Howard. Anna Mae peacefully passed away on July 16, 2022, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney at the age of 101.

Anna Mae was born September 16, 1920, on a farm in Wheeler County, south of Ewing, NE, to Charles J. and Agnes B. (Krajicek) Bartak. Anna Mae graduated from Wheeler County High School in 1937 as valedictorian of her class. She received a scholarship and attended Wayne State Teachers College and taught school in Wheeler County for three years. On January 26, 1941, she married Howard L. Andrews at Bartlett, NE. They lived in St. Peter, MN, and Snohomish, WA, until July of 1944 when Howard entered the military service. Anna Mae and her two children, Larry and Suzanne, then returned to Ewing to live with her parents until her husband's return from overseas.

In 1947 the family moved to North Platte. Anna Mae acted as bookkeeper for her husband's business Petroleum Construction Company and began her own personal career as a Beauty Counselor with Vanda Beauty Cosmetics in 1959. Earning numerous awards and accolades over the years, Anna Mae moved upward in management with the cosmetics company and ended her career as a Division Manager. After residing in North Platte for 60 years, Howard and Anna Mae moved to Kearney where they lived together until his death in 2012. She continued to live in Kearney for the remainder of her life.

Anna Mae was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was Past President of Social Order of the Beauceant (SOOB) Assembly #177, past Supreme Aide of SOOB, and twice Past President of the North Platte Shrine Auxiliary. She was a member and officer of the Order of Eastern Star and the Daughters of the Nile Drill Team. Anna Mae was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Does and had a lifetime membership in the American Legion Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. In addition, she won numerous awards for many hours of volunteer work for Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Anna Mae enjoyed all kinds of needlework, especially crocheting, and crocheted afghans for all her children and grandchildren. She also loved playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, reading, dancing and more dancing, gardening and fishing. In fact, she earned Master Angler status when she caught a 10 pound walleye! But most of all, she loved spending time with her family at home or at their cabin on Lake Maloney. Always smiling, she had a great sense of humor and loved little kids of all ages! Possessing a strong work ethic, she was full of energy, and one could very often hear her singing or whistling while she worked. She quoted her own father saying, "Any job worth doing is worth doing well."

She is survived by her son, Larry Andrews (wife, Doris) of Elkhorn; her daughter, Suzanne Petersen (husband, James) of Kearney; grandchildren, Kurt Andrews, Mark Andrews, Todd Andrews (wife Lara), Scott Petersen (wife Caroline), Kimberley Petersen Burr (husband, Jeff), Emily Andrews Sass (husband, Tim) and Christina Brink; great-grandchildren, Lance Rall (wife, Adrienne), Logan Rall (wife, Theresa), Richard Andrews, Wilder and Crew Andrews, Erin Burr, Maggie Andrews, Libby and Meagan Petersen and Mariela, Adelyn and Colette Sass; great great-grandchildren, Jack and Sage Rall, Lia, Aidan and Declan Rall; and other family.

Anna Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; her parents; infant sister and sisters, Eleanor (Vance) Bennett, Rose (Ed) Rethwisch, Mildred (Keith) Hockett, Elsie Knowles and Sylvia (Wayne) Mignery; brothers, Elvin Bartak, Adolph Bartak, Charles R. Bartak (Bud) and Louis Bartak; and grandson-in-law Stephen J. Rall.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in North Platte. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com, prior to services at the church or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Viewing is prior to services at the church.   Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Shrine Transportation Fund.

Services will be livestreamed at: https://facebook.com/events/s/anna-mae-andrews-service/441856901159742/