Anna was born March 20, 1906 to
Herman and Marie (Skork) Merten on a
farm south of Early six weeks after her
parents came over on the ship from Germany.
She was baptized June 1906 at the
Cook Lutheran Church, Cook Township,
Odebolt. She was a long time member of
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller and a
charter member of the Ladies Guild.
She attended school in Early, walking
to town every day due to her father's disability
at an early age. Anna worked the
fields with horses and helped her father
and brothers with the chores.

She was married to William Cecil
Barlow on April 24, 1928. She helped Bill
with the farming and the chores. During
their marriage the five children, Cecil,
Marjorie, Charles, Betty and Darlene,
were all born in seven years. She helped
care for nephews John, Earl, Ted and Bill
Zimmerman. Her brother's six children
spent time at Anna's after her brother's
death. Her niece, Patty Schuller, made her
home there for 2 1/2 years. She was
remembered as a wonderful cook to all.
She and Bill retired from the farm in
1956 and moved into Schaller due to Bill's
health. He owned and drove truck while
Anna was a clerk at Chapman's grocery
until fire destroyed the business. Bill died
June 24, 1963. Anna became a cook at
Andy's Cafe for many years.

On March 9, 1974 she married Vernon
Buehler and received five step-children.
She had nine happy years with Vern,
wintering in Texas, fishing and attending
school sports to watch their grandchildren.
She enjoyed being a seamstress, making
wedding gowns and all types of garments.
Her hobbies were making afghans and
quilts for each of her children, step-children
and grandchildren, She sewed hundreds
of quilts for Lutheran World Relief
and was honored by the Omaha World
Herald, Sioux City Journal and the
Schaller Herald with full pages and pictures
and the story of her hard work. She
loved to fish and have family for Christmas
Eve every year while living in her
home. She loved having her family gather
for reunions every year and for picnics.
Everyone had such a grand time.

She was preceded in death by her
parents; husbands, William Barlow
and Vemon Buehler; parents-in-law,
John and Bertha Barlow; three
brothers, Herman Jr., Herbert, and
Edwin; three sisters, Elma Woell,
Catherine Teubert, and Elsie
Merten; and a great-grandson,
Fredrick Hinkledey.