Anna Mae Ytzen

Anna Mae, the daughter of Anna Louise (Lassig) and Ira Joseph Cox, was born January 16, 1931 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Following her high school graduation, Anna moved to Chicago, Illinois to attend Nursing school and met her soul mate and love of her life, Robert Ytzen, while out with friends. The way Robert told it, Anna was dancing on the tabletops and she caught his eye. Of course, Anna didn’t quite remember the story that way! It must have been her smile and infectious laugh instead. The attraction grew to love and the couple were united in marriage on May 9, 1953 in Chicago.

Robert and Anna began their life together in a small apartment in Chicago and were blessed with 2 children: Johnny and Jim. After Jim joined the family, they purchased a home of their own and moved to Itasca, Illinois. The family grew by 2 additional children, Don and Nancy.

Anna Mae was an active volunteer with the Cub Scouts and was a Den Mother for her sons. She also was a Room Mother at the grade school and was active in the community. The family moved to Creston, Iowa in August of 1965 because of Robert’s work. In Creston, Anna continued her involvement in her children’s activities and community enrichment by volunteering for many activities and organizations such as, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Saving the Creston Depot committee, Creston Arts and many more. Anna was a “go to” when help was needed by many and a neighborhood mom to more than her 4 kids.

Survivors include her 4 children: John of Creston, Jim (friend Nancy) of Des Moines, Don of Kuwait, and daughter, Nancy of Urbandale; 3 granddaughters: Amanda Ytzen (Justin Wykes) of Grand Rapids, MI; Abby (Johnny) Ytzen-Handel of Essex, MA and Andrea Ytzen (Patrick Kopfenstein) of Des Moines; great-grandchildren: Anna Mae, Evee and Beren Ytzen-Handel and Nora Jo Ytzen-Wykes; brother, David (Wilma) Cox of Rhinelander, WI; sister-in-law, Marge Cox also of Rhinelander, WI; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents; siblings: Glen (spouses Sue & Madeline) Cox, Ralph Cox, Marilyn (spouse Larry) Roberts and Jimmy Cox (spouses Karen & Judy); daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Ytzen; nephews, Larry Roberts, Paul Cox and Kix Cox.