Anna C. Weinfurter

Anna Stelling Barnett Weinfurter lead an extraordinary life. Born into a large Montana homesteading family, Anna learned at an early age that if she was going to survive her six brothers, two sisters, and farm life in the 1920s she would need to be able to “hold her own.” Mornings started early and days were long, but the lessons Annie learned on the farm would build a strong woman able to face life’s challenges (and her brothers’ ongoing practical jokes) with grace, humor and love.
Anna’s young life included farm chores, riding a horse to school and helping to take care of her brothers and sisters. Anna often helped her mother by taking a younger brother to school with her to provide care and bottle feedings while studying. Farm life was tough and more so during the Great Depression, but these experiences would build her character and prepare her for an extraordinary life.
After high school Anna attended college, receiving a Montana state teaching certificate. She taught multiple grades at a rural Montana school, but her teaching career was cut short by the United States entry into World War II.
Anna loved her country and followed in the footsteps of her brothers, joining the US Navy in 1942. She served as a Pharmacist’s Mate First Class at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California where she met and married Joe Barnett. After the war Joe’s long military career caused them to move often and together, they raised a remarkable son, Curtis Barnett. Later they moved to the Tampa Bay area where Anna worked in accounting at the VA Hospital for many years.
Following the death of Anna’s first husband Joe Barnett in 1974, Anna continued to be involved in the Disabled Veterans of America Association. In 1978 Anna was blessed to find love once again and marry military man, Robert “Doc” Weinfurter, who was a disabled veteran. Their romance began with a dance hosted by the DAV. Together they were actively involved in veteran organizations, were charter members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Boosters Club and enjoyed traveling together.
Upon Doc’s death in 1993, Anna moved to Carlisle, PA to be close to son, Curt and his wife, Holly. Anna managed payroll and bookkeeping at Curt’s clinic into her early 90’s and with her new life in Carlisle came an abundance of new, dear friends and travel adventures.
Although Anna had no other biological children or grandchildren, she had an abundance of love and wisdom with which she embraced family and friends alike. What may have looked like a small family unit was really a large, extended family of love and laughter.
Annie died at home surrounded by family on August 13th in Carlisle, PA. Annie will be welcomed to her Heavenly Home by son Dr. Curt Barnett, DVM, parents Charlotte and William Stelling, brothers Ernest, Duke, Stanley and Charlie, and sisters Helene and Frieda. Annie will be dearly missed by brothers Cody, Jack, Jerry, daughter in law Holly Wendell, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
The family extends our most sincere appreciation to the staff of Synergy Home Care of Mid-Pennsylvania and the staff of Homeland Hospice. Their love and personal care provided Anna her greatest wish, to be home.
A memorial service will be held on August 28th at Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Rd., Carlisle PA 17013 at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Homeland Hospice in Harrisburg, PA.
To read the full obituary or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com.