Anna Maria Giller, 94, died Dec. 15, 2023. She was born Anna Maria Cresenzi on July 25, 1929, to Orlando and Francesha Cresenzi in Genoa, Italy, on the Mediterranean Coast.
As a teenager she loved to swim but also had to endure the air raids of World War II. After the war, she met and married Army Staff Sgt. Donald Giller. That’s when her journey to the U.S. began. It was a very different world for her. She came from a city with indoor plumbing to Luck, Wisconsin, with an outhouse in the back. Fortunately, she had a wonderful mother-in-law, Anne Giller, who helped her with her English and taught her how to be the best cook and seamstress, all while raising five children.
She loved animals and had many cats and dogs over the years. She enjoyed bowling, playing cards and listening to Dean Martin. When her kids were older, she worked outside the home and still took great care of them.
She will be remembered as someone who persevered with a strong will, especially when she had her health struggles. She always said, “I will come out of this,” and she did many, many times.
Family meant everything to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Giller; brother, Claudio Cresenzi; son, Jack Giller; and granddaughter, Tracy Schurman Giller.
She leaves behind her family in Italy, sister, Velma (William, Federika and Letizia); and sister-in-law, Cristina. Her legacy also continues with her four children, Jim Giller (Carol) and daughter-in-law Judy Giller, Michael Giller (Jean), Debra Cardenas (Donnie) and Cindy Swanson (Paul); along with nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Luck Lutheran Church Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10-11 a.m. with the funeral service following at 11 a.m.
