Anna Funk
Anna Larson Funk left this world far too soon on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Her absence leaves a space we can never fill—but her love, her laughter, and her light will echo in our hearts for the rest of our days.
Anna was born on a snowy day, January 22, 1985, in Holcomb, Kansas. At just two & 1/2 years old, her family moved to Marquette, where she built a childhood full of joy and wonder—daily ice cream trips to City Sundries, swimming at the local pool, and her early education at Marquette Elementary. She was baptized and confirmed at Elim Lutheran Church, and her faith, quiet but steady, was a thread throughout her life.
She graduated from Smoky Valley High School with a spark for languages and a passion for learning—excelling in German and dreaming of traveling the world. That love of learning carried her into adulthood, where she earned degrees from Butler Community College and Wichita State University. At WSU, she tackled an accelerated 13-month nursing program while working full time—proof of the dedication, strength, and determination that defined her life.
On October 20, 2012, Anna was united in marriage to Timothy Funk in Wichita, Kansas. Together they welcomed two precious children into their lives—Beyza Celine, age 13, and Amos James, age 10—who were the light of Anna’s world and the greatest joy of her heart.
Anna’s heart for others shaped her career. She served on a medical mission trip to Guatemala, assisting with surgeries. At Via Christi, she took on many roles: Nurse Council member, Chemotherapy Trainer, Bone Marrow Transplant Leader. She gave everything she had to her patients—offering not just care, but compassion. Even after losing both her father and older brother to cancer, Anna returned each day to the Cancer Center to serve others walking the same difficult road. That’s who she was—selfless, brave, full of heart, with beauty that ran far deeper than the surface and a heart that gave without hesitation.
But Anna was more than her work. She was the joy of the lake—boating, camping, laughing with family. She loved music and found peace in nature, often recharging her spirit in the quiet beauty of the outdoors. She gave the best, most genuine, embracing hugs—the kind that lingered with you long after. She had nicknames for everyone, a way of making each person feel uniquely loved.
She enjoyed cooking for her kids and would light up making their favorite—her homemade chicken Alfredo, served with that special “mom touch.” She had a green thumb, a gifted hand in the kitchen, and a deep love for animals, especially dog rescues. Her contagious, goofy laugh and radiant, soulful beauty made people feel better just being near her. Her eyebrows might have had a mind of their own, and her driver’s tan always made us smile—but she wore every bit of it with pride and humor.
Above all, Anna was a devoted mother and a fierce protector of her family. From the time she was little, always holding her younger cousins, to the sheer joy she felt becoming a mom herself—her children were her heart, her everything. She poured her whole self into them, and in them, her spirit will live on.
Anna was the person who brought people together. Who showed up without being asked. Who listened, who laughed, who lifted others when they needed it most. She was a gentle hug when the world felt too loud. She was a blessing to every heart she touched.
And though she has left this earth, her spirit is not gone. It lives in every act of kindness and in every spontaneous giggle. She’s hiking in the wind, driving among the stars, watching over us with that warm smile and those crazy eyebrows.
Today is a sad day—but it’s also a celebration of Anna’s life. She wouldn’t want us lost in sorrow. She would want us to laugh, to love fiercely, to be kind—and to take care of each other, just like she always did.
We love you so much, Anna. We always will.