Ann Dorothy Kloser Bjorneby, born March 6, 1923 in North Buena Vista, IA, died November 7, 2018 at Providence Hospital, Everett, WA.

Ann was born to the late Lucy and Albert Kloser and was the middle child in a family of 11 children. Ann was an adventurous soul, enjoyed life and loved her family. As a little girl, she always knew she would travel and live beyond her hometown to create something out of nothing. Humble beyond words, Ann was so willing to help others, even if it meant sacrificing things that were valuable to her. Her heart was huge, she placed tremendous trust in people that maybe some just wouldn’t understand. She was highly motivated to learn, expand her knowledge, and to teach others lessons of the heart.

Ann met the love of her life, the late Otto Bjorneby, at Camp Hale, CO, during World War II. They were married for 36 years, and lived in the Pacific Northwest. Her three children, who loved her dearly and would absolutely do anything for her, survive: Mary Bjorneby, Rudy Gonzales [Trinda], Kim Williams [Simon]; and grandson, Taylor Cohn.

Ann remarried, the late Bernie Biteman, and divorced. She leaves a number of close and loving relatives and many, many friends. As a firm believer of hard work, Ann worked in many positions from Butter Wrapper to a Grease Monkey – turned Apprentice Seaman. She was wrapping butter on the Iowa factory line when she learned the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. She decided, then and there, she had to do something to support America – she always had a deep love for this country. That marked the start of more than a decade of life working various military positions. She was honorably discharged in 1945, at age 22, as an apprentice seaman. She remained as a civilian worker, with the U.S. Navy, for another eight years before starting her family.

Ann was a member at St. Lukes, Seattle; Holy Rosary, Edmonds; St. Thomas More, Lynnwood; and St. Michaels, Snohomish. For many years, Ann volunteered her time, serving on the Board of Catholic Children’s Bureau, Everett; on the Board of Norse Homes, Seattle; was President of Norwegian Hospital Association, Seattle; was Office Manager of Leif Erikson Lodge, Seattle; and was the President of the St. Judes Circle and on the Scholarship Committee, St. Michaels, Snohomish. She spent many years volunteering five days a week at the Snohomish Senior Center – loving each and every minute of it, even upon her last days before she passed.

Upon Ann’s request, a funeral mass will be held at her local church, no reception. She will be laid to rest, buried next to her late husband, Otto. Burial will be scheduled at a later date, flying her to her hometown, North Buena Vista, IA.

The family wishes to thank all of those who tenderly cared for her during her last days. Funeral service will be held on November 21, 2018, 11:00 a.m., St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1512 Pine Avenue, Snohomish, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity or to St. Michael’s Catholic School, Snohomish, WA.