On October 23, 2023, Anne Ebsen Zeller (78) passed away with her loving family around her at home in Gilbert, AZ. She was born in Orange, NJ on January 21, 1945 to Charles and Dorothea Ebsen. Her father was an engineer and marketing executive, and her mother a health and nutrition enthusiast. In her youth, Anne was so focused on reading and neighborhood hijinks that she could not make time for those who wanted to talk about her beauty. Reading became her life-long passion.

Anne grew up in Livingston, NJ with two sisters, Mary D’Anna and Virginia Pedecine. There she completed her diploma at Livingston High School.

Education was very important in the Ebsen household, as her mother Dorothea had proven by earning a master’s degree from Columbia University and her father Charles an engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. Anne followed in her parents footsteps, going on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Yankton College and her master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

At the University of Iowa, Anne met the love of her life, Loren Zeller. Their relationship will always be an inspiration to the family, lasting nearly fifty-five years. They bonded over a romance language, Spanish, as Anne completed her masters degree and Loren his PhD. They married in Iowa City in 1969 and, after Loren’s tour of duty in the Army ended in 1972, they traversed Spain and Portugal together that summer.

Anne taught at Bushnell-Prairie City High School in Illinois and the University of Northern Colorado while starting a young family. Her son Mark Zeller was born in 1973 and daughter Sarah in 1976. The two children were everything to Anne, and she used her formidable planning skills to ensure they grew up rich in love and culture. She also passed on her passion for reading to the pair.

Anne had happy years with her small family in Loveland, CO, then Dunstable, MA and eventually West Redding, CT before moving to Gilbert, Arizona to be close to her grandchildren. Mark (with wife Meghan) had sons John (17) and Jackson Zeller (15), and Sarah (with John Hodges) had daughter Avery Hodges (14), creating a new generation for Anne to love and support. Known as “Nana”, Anne was once described by grandson John as “the Main Event” for her central role in the culture of her family. She was well known for her decorative talents, especially the collection of holiday figures and ornaments that filled her homes with cheer. Her holiday parties were legendary, replete with delicious food, games, gifts and lots of hugs. Anne had an uncanny way of meeting all of her family members where they stood, finding ways to understand their passions. She seemed to be fluent in all of the languages of the heart. “Nana” will be missed terribly, but her fierce determination and capacity to love lives on in her husband, children and grandchildren.

The victim of an incurable cancer, Anne faced the end of her life with grace, dignity and strength, surrounded by the love she helped to foster.

Her family will be planning a Celebration of Life on her next birthday, January 21, 2024. Details will be forthcoming.

Donations in her memory can be made to Anne’s preferred charity, St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/anne-zeller/obituary/

Copy