Anne Marie Scholten

Anne, who raised five daughters with husband Cliff, died in her sleep on August 22, 2025, at Wesley on Grand’s Austin Center. Kind, loving, and always supportive, we will miss her so much. Although Anne was born in Wisconsin in 1927, she grew up in Minnesota, the younger sister to Edythe and the daughter of Amelia and Carl Bartlett. She graduated from Stillwater High School and spent many happy hours canoeing the St. Croix River with her friend Margie. Anne, who couldn’t swim, provided power from the back, and Margie steered.

Tragedy struck when Amelia was driving Anne back to college after freshman Christmas break. Her beloved father fell and then died after a work accident. But, with Amelia’s support and encouragement, Anne persevered, graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1949. She took her first job teaching in LeMars, Iowa, where she created the art department. While teaching, Anne went on a blind date with Cliff, who was finishing his own teaching degree after his WWII service. They married on a snowy December 23, 1950, in Stillwater, Minnesota.

In 1951 the couple moved to Winterset, Iowa, to teach. They planned to stay for two years and then move to Arizona. Instead, they both spent their entire careers in Winterset and retired from the Winterset School District. During retirement they finally made it to Arizona and spent sixteen winters in Tucson, avoiding snow and making many new friends. Anne enjoyed going to the gem shows and making jewelry.

In Winterset, Anne enthusiastically supported young artists by voluntarily holding after-school art enrichment sessions for her elementary students two days a week. She also made sure her daughters took summer art classes, despite some protests and lack of talent. Ditto for piano lessons. Although not interested in sports herself, Anne cheered and celebrated every one of her daughters’ sports activities, learning a few rules along the way. Anne enjoyed theatre and took her daughters to numerous plays. Cliff and Anne played bridge, and in addition to their couples’ bridge club, Anne played in two women’s clubs.

Anne and Cliff were wonderful role models. At age 66, they began downsizing on their own initiative. Anne persevered again after breaking her leg at 85 and then breaking the same leg at 96. In both instances, she worked hard during Wesley’s physical therapy sessions and was able to continue using her walker—thank you Todd and the other PTs. Heartfelt thanks for the assistance she received at Wesley Sargent from Susan, Diane, and Stephanie and at Austin Center from Carla and Christy, as well as from her special friend and visitor, Mary Strum.

Alert and inquisitive at 97, she left open on her table the daily newspaper and a recent Time magazine. Anne is survived by her daughters, Carla Anne (Channing Dutton), Cathleen (Danlias) Howe, Laurel, and twins Michellen (Brett) Wildin and Jacqueline Thompson. Anne adored her grandchildren and lovingly followed their many adventures—Eric (Jaclyn) Scholten, Anne and Jack Dutton, Marie and Caitlyn Howe (Dave Cowie), Luke Miller, Rachel and Nathan Thompson. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, William and Emily Anne Scholten. She is also remembered by brothers-in-law, Jerry (Audrey) Scholten and M.G. Waitt, and many nieces.

She is predeceased by her husband, Clifford, sister, Edythe, brother-in-law Rodney (Colleen) Scholten, sister-in-law, Beverly Waitt, son-in-law Jim Miller, and infant grandson, Gary Dutton.

Honoring Anne’s wishes, we will hold a private family gathering celebrating her life at a later date. Memorials in her honor are welcomed to Wesley Good Samaritan Fund, 3524 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312 or to Winterset Education Foundation: Anne & Cliff Scholten Math & Science Scholarship, PO Box 30, Winterset, Iowa 50273.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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