of Little Rock, AR

March 24, 1930 - March 23, 2025

Anna Marie Trueman received her divine promotion on March 23, 2025, just one day shy of her 95th birthday. As a dear friend shared, ''Well, she just wanted to celebrate in heaven!'' Anna Marie was born in Des Moines, Iowa on March 24, 1930 to Paul and Florence Sandahl. As a young girl, Anna Marie had a mind of her own, so when her parents told her she was too old for dolls (she was only 12), she took her savings and boarded the trolley by herself and traveled downtown to Younkers Department store to buy a Madame Alexander doll. She kept this beloved doll her entire life. Mom graduated from Roosevelt High School and developed lifelong friendships with 7 girls. This group of 8 stayed connected through a ''round robin'' letter, plus they enjoyed annual reunions at various locations around the country.

Mom attended Grinnell College in Iowa for 3 years before leaving to marry Robert (Bob) Edward Wright in 1952. They lived in Des Moines for several years before moving to San Jose, CA for Bob's career. They divorced in 1968 and Anna Marie moved back to Des Moines to make a home for her two daughters in her childhood home still occupied by her mother, Florence.

Anna Marie had a fulfilling career at Equitable Life Insurance Co. of Iowa while also working a part-time job at night and attending college to complete her degree. In 1977 she received her degree in Personnel Management from Drake University and after several promotions, she became the Human Resources Director. She was also active in the Women's Chamber of Commerce in Des Moines.

Anna Marie retired early in 1987 but decided to take a part-time job at Callahan Junior High where she attended as a young girl. It was a refreshing change from the corporate world as she enjoyed being around young people.

Our mom found love again at age 55 as she married Leo Zeitlmann of Laguna Hills, CA. in 1985. They had a commuter marriage for 7 years until her mother Florence passed away. She then joined Leo at The Willows, a small Christian Science retirement community in southern CA. After 18 years Leo passed away in 2003, but she was blessed to find love again. She met and married Richard Trueman in 2006 at The Willows. They were dedicated to each other for 9 years until he passed away in 2015. Anna Marie was active in the Christian Science church in Laguna Beach where she served as Librarian for their Reading Room for several years. She also was a member of PEO and served as President for two terms.

In 2016, Anna Marie moved to Little Rock to be closer to family. She moved into Parkway Village and she found love again when she met John Paul Jones. They did not marry, but their relationship brought them both companionship and love until John passed away in 2018. As a lifelong Christian Scientist, Mom joined the church in Sherwood and enjoyed attending Sunday services for several years.

Our mother was the most loving person - she radiated and expressed love to all. Her faith in God was unwavering, and whenever you would ask her for advice, she would say ''Trust God more.'' The light of Christ's love was reflected in all she did. In recent years, she never failed to express her gratitude daily for all the help that family was providing to her. She never complained. Mom found joy in seeing birds on her birdfeeder especially cardinals. She adored receiving flowers, plus reading treasured books. She had a discerning eye for things of beauty, especially through her love of art, music, and nature.

Anna Marie was preceded in death by precious infant grandson John (Chip) Warren Williams, and beloved sister-in-law Catherine Sandahl. She is survived by two daughters, Mary Elizabeth Williams of Urbandale, IA, and Sue Owens (Ed) of Little Rock. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Ellen Serafini (Ted) of Falls Church, VA, and Gretchen Thibodeaux (Larry) of West Des Moines, IA, plus grandson Booth Owens (Maggie) of Little Rock. Mom also is survived by two great-grandsons, Paul and Max Serafini. In addition, Anna Marie is survived by her brother Paul Sandahl of Fort Smith, AR, and cousins Louise Hartwell of New York City, and Chuck Sandahl (Verlys) of Hawarden, IA. Also surviving are nieces Anne Amacker (Tom) and Margaret Little (Jeff) of Dallas, TX, and nephew Locke Sandahl (Cynthia) in Nashville, TN, plus former son-in-law John Sherman Williams of Urbandale, IA.

Mom was truly loved as stepmother to Kerry Ann Trueman (Matt), Gregg Trueman (Sarah), Bruce Trueman (Bethany Williams), and Glenn Trueman (Josie). Our mom was also lovingly ''adopted'' by Steve Jones (Susan), Lynn Withrow-Jones (Cindy), and Karen Holliday (Ray.)

The family would like to thank the loving care provided by Elder Independence over the past several years, with special recognition for the devotion of both Alene Norwood and Debbie Alexander. We also want to thank the staff of Parkway Heights Assisted Living for their wonderful care of mom. We are also grateful to both Gentiva Hospice and Hospice Home Care.

A service to celebrate Anna Marie's life will be held on May 6th at Roller Chenal Funeral home. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the service at 11 a.m. Memorials can be made to the First Church of Christ Scientist in Sherwood, AR, or to The National Audubon Society.

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