Anna Lorrita Welter, wife, mother and friend, died on Saturday, February 20, 2016. She will be celebrated and revered by her family and those who knew her, as a gentle and caring woman, these ninety-five years of her life.

The darlings of her being were her husband Leo M. Welter (deceased) and her children Loretta Anne (Lou), Janice Lee (Jane) and Mathew James (Matt). She was born in the county of Rockland, New York, on July first in the year of 1920, to a blue-blooded, French Father, Edmond Bliquez, and an Emerald Isle, Irish beauty, Miss Annie Lee. On the ladder rungs of life, she was child number six born into a fledgling brood, numbering 9 siblings. Until February 20th, Anna managed to outlive each of them; which in itself was quite remarkable. All of her sisters and brothers were characters in their own lives and she loved them dearly.

In 1936, she met and married a dashing, young German boy, Leo Welter. They were wed at Saint Anthony's Catholic church, in Des Moines, Iowa shortly thereafter, and no doubt, it was her amiable good nature that managed, for the next fifty-seven years, to keep an over enthusiastic husband/businessman grounded.

Looking for sunshine and opportunity the couple relocated to the "hay days" of California's, 1940's boom era. During the1950's, Leo, always resourceful, opened up the first of three moving companies, the first in the San Fernando Valley. Anna excelled, by supporting the business with her keen office skills and professionalism. Jackie Kennedy was not the only lady with fashion sense during the 50's and 60's.

In retirement, with their nesters gone, Anna moved with Leo to Sutherlin Oregon. Leo raised a few head of cattle and Anna and her daughter Lou owned a Merle Norman cosmetic studio in old downtown Roseburg. Mother practiced what she taught and had a perfect complexion right up until her death. She also had a life-long affair with deviled eggs, Rice Crispy Treats and POTATOES. No meal she cooked would have been deemed complete without one. Somewhere along the line, the Welter's bought a little café in Sutherlin, Oregon and Anne named it the Dew Drop Inn, after remembering her mother's aphorism to guest in passing. "You all, "do drop in." when you can." The café was renowned far and wide for its secret, recipe, homemade gravy with biscuits heaped high upon the plate.

When Anna's beloved Leo passed in 1994 she felt it was time for a change. In 2000, she relocated to the Yerington Manor, Senior apartments in Yerington Nevada, just a crook down the road from Reno. So peaceful Nevada is where she had spent the last sixteen years of her life. Along with daughter Jane and son-in-law Joseph, she learned to appreciate and love Nevada's tranquil, desert beauty.

Mom excelled in cooking pot roast, polishing up the house, phoning her children, Kings in the Corner, and Spite and Malice card games, socializing with fellow diners, an occasional nickel plop in a slot machine, saying many more then once in a day, Rosaries, attending Sunday Mass, and an occasional good glass of Strawberry wine.

Anna's family would sincerely like to thank the entire staff and care givers at Mason Valley Residence, for the joy and care she received, while residing at their facility. We also offer our gratitude to the staff, nurses, CNA's, housekeepers and cooks at the Mary Wing, Long Term Care unit at South Lyon Medical Center, for their true compassion in care.

Anna is survived by her daughters Loretta Swanson, Roseburg Oregon, Janice Montalbano, Yerington NV, and her son Matthew Welter, Eugene Oregon. Her beloved grandsons Shaun Welter, Joseph Emanuel Montalbano, Carl Gross, Frank Gross (deceased) and Craig Smith. Along with granddaughters Christine Anne Montalbano and Tina Smith, each were her pride and joys. No doubt she will be watching over this generation of great grandchildren, also in friendship, Leah Wilkinson. To her beloved nieces and nephews just a note; you were often the topic of her reminiscences and she loved each and every one of you.

Services for Anna will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 103 N. West Street, Yerington NV. The service will begin with the prayers of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am, Father Jesus Ballesteros presiding.

Donations on Anna's behalf may be made to; Sky Cross, Inc. (a ministry serving poor orphans) 7302 Putter Lane, San Antonio, TX, 78244

Family and Friends may sign her online guest book at www.FRFH.net.

Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911.