Anna K. Powers

Anna Kay Powers was born May 10th, 2003 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center where she was born a preemie weighing one pound, thirteen ounces. At an early age, Anna proved to be very resilient! She possessed strength, perseverance and an ability to overcome incredible obstacles and physical challenges .On August 11, 2014 at the young age of 11, Anna passed into the arms of Jesus from brain cancer. She spent the last days of her life surrounded by loved ones at The Kansas City Hospice House.

Anna enjoyed music of all kinds. She played violin, piano and loved singing, with one of her favorite's being, "Somewhere over the Rainbow!" Her favorite activities were cooking and fishing with dad, drawing, playing with her American Girl dolls, shopping with Mom and was a connoisseur of many gourmet foods, Chinese being her favorite. Some of her other loves included nature, animals, cars, Men's K.U. basketball, The Royals and Sporting K.C. She loved school, especially math and socializing! Anna spent her last 2 years at Frank Rushton Elementary in Kansas City, Kansas where she completed the fifth grade. Anna's love was unconditional, which in turn helped her make friends very easily and was loved by everyone! Since her diagnosis of cancer in October of 2012 the teachers, students and even their families surrounded Anna with love and support. This gave her great encouragement and motivation to fight and her courage and bravery strengthened those around her, leading them to BELIEVE that each day is a blessing and to never lose sight of HOPE!

Anna attended church with her Grandparents at Lighthouse Presbyterian church in Paola, Kansas and Trinity Lutheran church in Mission, Kansas with her parents where she participated in many youth activities. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age. At the age of 10 she chose to be baptized and became a member of Trinity. Anna prayed daily for others and her fondest wish was to be a testimony of faith and Jesus' love. The outpourings of ministry and prayers from churches and synagogues have been a blessing.

We want to thank everyone who has been an "Angel" for Anna, teaching, nurturing, caring and loving her throughout her 11 years. She developed into an intelligent young lady with great personality. Her family wants to thank all of the additional "Angels" we have met since Anna's terminal diagnosis. The support we received from fundraisers, the June Bug Crawl and the "Angels for Anna" benefit in Paola is greatly appreciated. The team of doctors, nurses and support staff at Children's Mercy built many personal relationships that allowed Anna to trust and be confident throughout her treatments and medical challenges. You are absolutely amazing!

Anna was blessed by so many special organizations helping to make her dreams come true. Meeting Coach Self and the 2012 – 2013 men's basketball team, the "Make a Wish" trip to Hawaii to swim with the dolphins and her most recent experience with Sporting K.C.'s, Victory Project and Braden's HOPE calendar are just a few of the many organizations' that helped to create lasting memories for Anna, family and friends.

Anna's light was strong, brilliant and her life truly was a blessing to everyone. Although we will miss her every day, especially her funny expressions, beautiful smile and contagious laughter, she will forever remain in our hearts with many memories to celebrate. This quote came from Aunt Deanae "…sometimes, the Lord just takes blessed people because they've filled their purpose early. Everyone plays their own song and sings their story to the world leaving behind a melody of memories. Sometimes… their song is cut short and ends too early. But that doesn't mean their music was any less sweet or that they left any less of an impression." By Linda Kage, The Stillburrow Crush.

Anna was preceded in death by her Papa Max Ollenberger, Great Grandfather Wayne Messner, Great Grandparents Ed and Bessie Ollenberger, and Great Uncle Ed Messner. Survivors are her parents Rolland J. Powers II and Jamie Ollenberger Powers, Grandmother Texanna Ollenberger, Great Grandmother Pauline Messner, Uncle Keith, Aunt Deanae, Cousins Madalynn and Maxeen Ollenberger and the Steve Vaughan family. Anna had a large family of Aunts, Uncles, cousins and a number of close friends with whom she always loved to spend time making special memories that she would never forget and often talk about.

Celebration of Life for Anna Kay Powers will be Saturday, September 27th at 3:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 5601 W. 62nd St., Mission, Kansas 66202. Visitation will follow the service.

The family is asking that everyone wear blue or pink in honor of Anna.

In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to one of the following:

*Trinity Lutheran Church Youth Ministry, "Anna's Shining Star's" Trinity Lutheran Church 5601 W. 62nd St. Mission, Kansas 66202.

*Frank Rushton Elementary String Program, "Anna's Melody" 2605 W. 43rd Ave., Kansas City, Ks. 66103

*Braden's Hope for childhood cancer http://www.bradenshope.org making a donation in memory of Anna.

Other organizations we wish to thank for support are:

The Paulina Cooper Family, "Ride for Kids" benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Bags of Fun Kansas City, Team Will "Go the Distance Ride" 2014, Clayton Dabney foundation for kids and Cancer Action.