Anna Wenke Burd was born on February 26, 1891 in Guiderock, Nebraska.  She was the youngest child of George D. Wenke and Marie Beutel.  Her father died when she was 19 months old and her family returned to Peoria as the farm in Nebraska was too much for her mother and siblings to maintain independently.    

Anna and Frank were married in Chicago July 26, 1916. They had known each other from Peoria and were both 25 years old at their marriage. They remained in Chicago until shortly after Jean was born in 1920. 

According to Jean, her mother came from a German family. Jean called Anna’s personality “high-strung”. Anna had high expectations for herself and others, and she could be mean when they did not live up to those expectations. Anna had attended Miss Hydes sewing school and was a seamstress by trade. Anna made all of Jean’s clothing. She was also a very good pianist. Jean talked of remembering whenever she was ill that she would lay on the sofa and ask Anna to play the piano. THE BURNING OF ROME was one of the songs that she would play. Jean thought it sounded a lot like the songs they’d play at the silent movies.

Anna was very disciplined and talented and made good use of her time. Throughout Jean’s life, Anna did specific tasks on specific days. The laundry was done on Mondays, but Anna would iron it all on Tuesdays. Jean also stated that Anna was very thoughtful and did not understand when others were not as thoughtful as she. She enjoyed making cookies and cakes at Christmas time and then would take them around to elderly relations. She would also make coffee cake every Friday night for breakfast on Saturday mornings. 

At election time Anna Burd served on her local precinct committee.  She would help out on election day, getting people checked in to vote, assisting with voting if needed and then counting the ballots.  She was also very active in the Peoria Republican Party. 

Anna died Wednesday January 17, 1962.  Based on family stories I do not believe the union of Frank and Anna was a love match. However, for whatever reason they chose to remain married and made their marriage work for 45 years.  They would visit Jean and the grandchildren daily often together. While they had not shared a bedroom, on the last night of her life they did. I wonder if it brought peace to Frank that they had spent this last time together? 

In honor of Anna Wenke Burd and because I was curious to hear what it sounded like and thought you might be too, I’ve included a recording of THE BURNING OF ROME. May you listen to it and think fondly of our Jean and her mother.