Anna Ford Obituary

Former Durango resident Anna Mae (Kral) Ford died Sunday, May 16, 2010, in Albuquerque. She was one month shy of her

90th birthday.

Mrs. Ford was born to Anton and Florence Kral on June 21, 1920, in Onaga, Kan. She was raised on the family farm,

tending to the crops, pigs, cattle and chickens. Her family's hard work and dedication to the farm sustained them

through the Depression, and their generosity with their produce, meat and grains assisted many Onaga residents. Her

family said selfless caring was a common theme throughout Mrs. Ford's life.

In 1938, she graduated from Onaga High School. After high school, Mrs. Ford enrolled in St. Mary's Nursing School in

Topeka, Kan., eventually graduating with highest honors.

She enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, and she served in the European Theater. While living in a makeshift tent city

outside Paris, she witnessed its liberation, and she followed her nursing colleagues into the city to set up and

assist in a hospital for wounded American soldiers.

It was during this time she met 1st Lt. Clarence Lee Robert Ford, who was recovering from shrapnel wounds. They had a

whirlwind romance in the City of Lights.

"Bob asked me two questions: Can you cook, and what is your religion?" Mrs. Ford wrote in her memoirs. Having

answered both questions to his satisfaction, the two were married Aug. 6, 1945, in Liège, Belgium.

After World War II, the newlyweds settled in Arkansas City, Kan. Mr. Ford worked for Beechcraft, and Mrs. Ford

continued her nursing career as an operating room nurse, an occupation she enjoyed for more than 20 years.

After their daughter's graduation from Arkansas City High School in 1968, the couple moved to Wichita, Kan., where

they lived until 1981. After retiring in 1981, they lived in Topeka and Durango, where their daughter, Debby

Jaworsky, her husband, Gus, and their children lived. After Mr. Ford's death in 1991, Mrs. Ford lived with her

daughter's family in Durango, Tulsa, Okla., and Albuquerque until her death.

While in Durango, she attended First Baptist Church of Durango and was active at the Durango/La Plata Senior Center,

where she enjoyed eating lunch with friends and playing Rummikub.

"Anna Mae is remembered for her love for family, faith and selfless dedication to the well-being of others," her

family wrote.

Mrs. Ford was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Bob Ford; and infant daughter Rebecca Ford.

She is survived by her daughter Debby Jaworsky of Albuquerque; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and

numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

A graveside service will take place at Riverview Cemetery at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010, in Arkansas, Kan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Roadrunner Food Bank of Albuquerque, 5840 Office Blvd. NE., Albuquerque, NM

87109.