Anna Mae Lewis Stringer was born on November 6, 1929 in Erie Kansas and peacefully passed away at home in Nampa, Idaho with her loving family around her on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 of natural causes from Parkinsons Disease.

Anna attended St. Paul Elementary School in Hertha, Kansas and graduated from Erie, Kansas High School in 1947. After graduating she worked at Mercy Hospital as a nurses aide and at the Kansas Ordinance Plant. She also waited tables at her mothers restaurant, where she met the love of her life, William Alfred (Bill) Stringer. She served him an extra big piece of pie to catch his eye and that was all it took. They were married on December 17, 1948.

Anna and Bill moved to Nampa, Idaho in 1957 and raised five children. Anna worked at Armours Meat Packing Plant in Nampa, and she then furthered her education with business classes at Northwest Nazarene College. She also worked at Provident Federal Savings and Loan and All American Realty. Bill and Anna have operated Stringers Gem Shop in Nampa since 1978. Anna loved to facet gemstones and shared her knowledge and talent with many people.

Anna and Bill were active in several organizations. They helped organize the National Association of Retired and Veterans Railway Unit #82 of which Bill was President and Anna was Treasurer. They were members of Gem Sprouts Good Sam Club, the Owyhee Gem and Mineral Society, the Nampa Elks, and are life members of the VFW of Parsons, Kansas. They attend St. Pauls Catholic Church in Nampa.

Anna loved to take care of her many rose bushes and flowers, and she could always be heard humming a tune around the house. She learned how to play the organ and oil paint at the age of 70, and she created many beautiful pieces of art. Anna and Bill loved to fish, rock hunt, dance at the Elks, travel, and they spent several winters in Arizona.

Anna is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill Stringer; a son and daughter-in-law Larry and Eva Stringer of Meridian, Idaho; a son and daughter-in-law Doug and Gail Stringer of Union City, California; a daughter and son-in-law Sandy and Tim Merrick of Boise, Idaho; a son Steve Stringer of Carlsbad, California; a daughter Denise Stringer of Boise, Idaho; 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Anna was the fifth of nine children, three brothers and five sisters, and is survived by three sisters: Barb Lero of Erie, Kansas; Betty Lewis of Tonganoxie, Kansas; and Peggy Bass of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A recitation of the Rosary will be held at 5:00 P.M. Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. A vigil service that will celebrate her life will follow at 6:30 P.M. on Sunday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 at St. Pauls Catholic Church, Nampa. Entombment will follow in the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Annas name to the St. Pauls Catholic Church building fund or a favorite charity.

Service Information Recitation of the Rosary Sunday October 28, 2012 5:00 PM Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel 415 12th Ave South Nampa, ID 83651 Vigil Service Sunday October 28, 2012 6:30 PM Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel 415 12th Ave South Nampa, ID 83651 Mass of Christian Burial Monday October 29, 2012 11:00 AM St. Pauls Catholic Church 510 W. Roosevelt Ave. Nampa, Idaho 83686