Individual Details

Anna Pelk

(17 Feb 1919 - 19 Jul 2004)

Eureka Times-Standard, Eureka, California, August 3, 2004: Anna Stevens passed away at the age of 85 on July 19, 2004, at her home in Eureka. Anna Moller Pelk, the first of three daughters born to Henry W. Pelk and Ella Hansen Pelk, was born in 1919, in Odense, Denmark. Anna’s parents decided to immigrate to the United States when she was eight years old, to escape the expanding influence of Hitler in Northern Europe. They crossed the Atlantic in the steamship Frederick VIII and disembarked at Ellis Island, where Anna’s name is inscribed on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor. The family then traveled across the country by train to settle near Fortuna, where Anna attended elementary school and high school (class of 1938). Anna married Marion William “Bill” Gordon on July 3, 1940, and the couple raised three children, Fred, Paula and Janetta, in Eureka. She was a homemaker and worked as head cook at Grant Elementary and Alice Birney Elementary when her children were in school. Anna was widowed after 35 years of marriage to Bill. She remarried on August 7, 1976, to Norman Stevens, with whom she resided until his death in 1999. An outgoing and caring woman, Anna is remembered for her extreme generosity and sparkling wit. Her skills as a cook, seamstress, gardener and storyteller were unparalleled, and her family and friends are forever grateful for her selfless and devoted care of those in need. Anna was much loved and will be greatly missed. Anna was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Martha and Gerda; first husband, Bill; second husband, Norman; and stepdaughter, Kristin Lyons. She is survived by her children and stepchildren, George Frederick Gordon and wife Georgia Gordon of Eureka, Paula Anne Brichacek and fiancé Cliff Bartlett of Redding, Janetta Nadine Gordon of Eureka, Kalina Wilson of Colorado Springs, Colo., Norma Lambert of San Bruno, Kenna Reed of Eureka, and Kim Stevens of Eureka; four grandchildren, Brooke Richards of Eureka, Lisa Richards of Hydesville, David Brichacek of Redding, and Andra Brichacek of Eugene, Ore.; and one great-grandchild, Harlan Brichacek of Eugene. Anna is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Dean Maynard of Livermore. In addition, the family would like to thank Deb Stevens and Linda Miller, whose caring friendship greatly enriched Anna’s life. There will be a family gathering to remember Anna’s life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2004, at the Stevens home on Humboldt Hill in Eureka. The family asks that Anna’s friends and loved ones plant a rhododendron or dogwood in her memory next spring, as those were two of her favorite plants. Memorial contributions may also be made to Hospice of Humboldt, 2010 Myrtle Ave, Eureka, Calif. 95501, or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements were directed by Chapel of the Ferns/Sanders Funeral Home.

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Published in Eureka Times-Standard on Aug. 3, 2004 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/times-standard/obituary.aspx?n=anna-stevens&pid=2479752#sthash.tU98YOMy.dpuf

Events

Birth17 Feb 1919Odense, Syddanmark, Denmark
Marriage7 Aug 1976Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada - Norman F Stevens
Death19 Jul 2004Eureka, Humboldt Co., California
BurialSunset Memorial Park, Eureka, Humboldt Co., California
RaceWhite

Families

SpouseNorman F Stevens (1917 - 1999)
Spouse??? Gordon ( - )

Endnotes