Anna Louise (Johnson) Gitchel passed away January 26, 2011 at the family home in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 84. She bravely fought metastasized breast cancer and its resulting complications for over three years.

She was born August 31, 1926 in northern Phillips County to Ralph Harvey Johnson and Laura (Schulke) Johnson. She grew to womanhood on the family farm ten miles north of Phillipsburg.

On January 16, 1948 she was united in marriage to Melvin Roy Gitchel at the First Christian Church parsonage in Phillipsburg. To this union, eight children were born: Merry Louise, Sandra Kay, Ralph Edward, Roy Eugene, Terry Lynn, Ricky Dean, Susan Jean and Donald Leroy. The couple would later be blessed with 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, which were the light of her life.

In the early years, Louise & Melvin enjoyed going to saddle club events, square dancing, auctions, and playing cards with friends. Louise enjoyed cooking and always had a meal on the table for anyone who stopped by. She was famous for making giant cinnamon rolls with her special peanut butter frosting, which always appeared at all the family functions and reunions. At the most recent reunion, they were auctioned off and brought a significant price.

In addition to being a housewife & mother, Louise worked in the laundry department at the Phillipsburg Nursing Center, was a caregiver and Administrator at Borum's Gentle Care facility, and worked in the kitchen at the Colonial Lounge, all in Phillipsburg. She was also a past member of several organizations: the Republican Valley Saddle Club, the Maverick Saddle Club, the Sunshine Club, TOPS and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Some of the highlights of her adult life were her travels to Yellowstone, Idaho, Colorado and Alaska. Louise thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado with Merry, Sandy and Sue when they created memory books and she gambled all day on $20 worth of nickels.

She loved to tell stories about her childhood. Some of her favorites were about the family pet skunk, Stinky; how she accidentally chopped off a bull's tail; and also of the time that she & brother, Merrill, found part of an old gun, put a shell in it, hit it with a hammer and accidentally hit and killed the family dog! Then they buried the dog in the old orchard so "Pops" (Dad) wouldn't find out, but a good ole Kansas gully washer came up, washed the dog's body out into the open, and the jig was up!

Louise dedicated her life to caring for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will long be remembered as a strong woman who quietly raised a houseful of kids, worked hard and never complained, who always had a kind word and would help anyone at anytime. She will forever be missed by her family, friends and loved ones whose lives she touched.

Preceding her in death were husband, Melvin; brothers, Frank "Buss" Johnson and Stephen Johnson; parents, Ralph & Laura Johnson; great-grandchildren, David Nathaniel Doty, Kennedy Ann Johnson and Locklin Dean Gitchel; son-in-law, Daniel Reeh; brothers-in-law, Ivan Gitchel, Milo Gitchel, Leo Gibson, Wayne Johnson and Owen Clark; and sisters-in-law, Norma Gitchel, Jolly Gitchel and Vivian Clark.

Survivors include three daughters: Merry Reeh of Atwood, KS; Sandra & Dennis Johnson of Agra, KS and Susan & "Bean" Lacey of Kenai, AK; five sons: Ralph & Betty Gitchel of Agra, KS; Roy Gitchel, Terry & Donna Gitchel, Rick Gitchel and Don Gitchel, all of Phillipsburg, KS; 17 grandchildren: Bryan Kempt of Oberlin, KS; Kim & Jeff Doty of Atwood, KS; Dennis & Allison Acosta of Brownsville, TX; Dennis Johnson, Jr. & Dr. Alicia Bean of Manhattan, KS; Danial & Melissa Johnson of Kirwin, KS; DeAnna & Ed Kendall of Sidney, NE; Melvin & Jessica Gitchel of Phillipsburg; Laverne Gitchel of Hill City, KS; Tara & Robin Burnham of Wakeeney, KS; Karma & Ron Steelsmith, Shelby Gitchel, Ricky & Bobbi Gitchel, Brandon & Courtney Gitchel, Mickey Gitchel, and Dustin & Elizabeth Gitchel, all of Phillipsburg, KS; Colt Lacey of Kenai, AK and Levi Lacey of Prescott, AZ; 21 great-grandchildren: Zander Kempt; Jordyn and Halie Doty; Jaycee Acosta; Gabby and Elijah Bean; Erin and Garrett Johnson; Cora and Grady Kendall; Mitchell Hobart; Wyatt and Tehya Louise Burnham; Kihyna Steelsmith; Lane and Gunnar Gitchel; Dakota, Hunter and Parker Gitchel; Shaylena Gitchel and Dakoda Lacey. Also surviving are a brother, Merrill Johnson, of San Diego, CA; sisters, Ella Johnson of Plainville, KS and Marie Calloway of Wichita, KS; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Johnson and Virginia Gibson; a brother-in-law, Phillip Gitchel; and close family friend, Gary Littrell (who lived with Louise's family as a teenager), his wife, Peggy, and their children.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 1st, at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice Services or to Family Medical Specialties Oncology Department.