Obituary of Anna M Listerud

Anna M. Listerud, 65, Duluth, passed away June 18, 2015. She battled cancer bravely and died at home with loved ones at her side. Anna was born in Brunswick Germany Dec. 6, 1949. Her family immigrated to the United States when she was three years old. She graduated from Denfeld in 1967 and worked at Bridgemans in the West End, where she met her husband Jim. They married in 1970. During her working life she wore many different hats, but her favorite was working as a substitute teachers assistant for ISD 709. She loved working with the children with special needs in particular. Her heart was always most happy when she was able to help someone less fortunate than herself. She loved gardening, golfing, fishing, and going on walks with Freon her Golden Retriever, scaring up a grouse or rabbit now and then which brought a smile to both her and Freons faces. She loved her pets and pampered them to a fault. Many people said that when they die, they wanted to come back as one of Anna's pets. She also loved attending the many sporting events their daughter Kirsten and her friends participated in as they grew up. She was a terrific baker and crocheted and knitted many prized gifts at Christmas time. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Lukes Oncology Department, Infusion Center, and Hospice Care for the way they treated her with great care and dignity throughout her battle. They are all such wonderful, caring individuals. She was preceded in death by her parents Filip and Boleslawa Faryniak; a brother, Ludwig (Lieselotte) Tomisch; her faithful Golden Retriever Freon; her grand-dog, Sibley, and her adopted dog Maggie. She is survived by her husband Jim; daughter Kirsten and her dog Jazzy; brother Bruno (Betty) Tomesch; sister Sophie (Ernie) Hall; brother Michael Faryniak; many nieces and nephews, and cats Lucy and Gracie. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no funeral service. However, a celebration of life/garage party will be held at her dear friends Greg and Mary Brisky's residence 7104 Milford Street near the Duluth Zoo, on Friday June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m.