Annisa Craiker Fortmann

Annisa Craiker Fortmann died Sept 18th after a brief illness. She was born in OKC to Abbood (Albert) and Dora Craiker, who with their three older children, Leo, Sam and Rose had immigrated to OKC from Australia. All preceded Annisa in death. Annisa graduated from Central High School, enrolled in OCU, but instead had to go to work. She did so as a telephone operator. Her Brother Sam introduced her to a German immigrant named Anton, to whom Annisa taught English. She gave him the nickname Tom, instead of Tony, and married him in 1932. They had one child, Ted. Tom and Annisa worked together as department heads at Oklahoma Furniture Mfg. plant, transferred to the Memphis plant for 12 years, then returned to OKC. When they retired from Okla. Furniture, Annisa went to work at Standard Iron and Metal where she worked until she was 80. She was an avid bridge player. She was very active in the Bonne Heure Club of OKC. In addition to being a social club, the club is active in fund raising for various charities. When Annisa's granddaughter, Julie developed developmental disabilities, Annisa was instrumental in getting the Bonne Heure Club to raise funds to contribute to the Knights of Columbus for the building of the adult disabilities facility, the Center of Family Love in Okarche, where her granddaughter Julie lived a happy and productive life until her death at age 42. Annisa moved herself to St. Ann's independent living when she no longer wanted to maintain a home. She attended Mass regularly at St. Ann's and then transferred to Legend Assisted Living when she needed more care. She remained active at The Legend, at almost 102 years of age, until the day before her death. She is survived by her son, Ted, an OKC physician, two grandchildren, Annisa Mueggenborg and Scott Fortmann, three great grandchildren, Jessica McCollough and Josh and Audrey Mueggenborg, two step great grandchildren, Alex Merveldt and Barbara Simpson, and two great, great grandchildren, Nate and Haleigh McCollough. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Center of Family Love, or to Flowers that do not Wither. Visitation will be today until 6 p.m. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Smith & Kernke. Committal will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.