Anna Schaan

Dec. 9, 1981 – June 11, 2025

Rugby

Anna Marie Schaan, 43, died on June 11, 2025 at her home in Rugby, North Dakota

Anna was born on Dec. 9, 1981 in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted by her parents, Mark and Sue Schaan, then residing in Moorhead, Minnesota.

On March 4, 1982, Anna came to the United States at three months of age to her parents and her family celebrated this day as her “Special Day.”

Growing up in Minnesota, and later in Rugby after 1988, Anna was a thoughtful, quiet, and unassuming child, who loved summers at Pickerel, Long and other lakes in Minnesota and at the Balta Dam.

She attended most of her grade school at Little Flower Catholic School in Rugby, and later Rugby High School, where she was a member of the graduating class of 2000, and even had the graduation party at her family’s farmstead.

In high school, Anna was a cheerleader, played volleyball, and was a statistician for boy’s baseball. She was also a counselor for Trinity Youth Camp.

Anna attended her first and second years of college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and later transferred to North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, where she graduated in 2006 with a degree in Apparel, Retail Merchandising & Design (ARMD).

Utilizing her degree, she traveled overseas to China and Vietnam, and worked in New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought her back home to Rugby to be closer to family.

After returning, Anna worked at the Heart of American Medical Center, the Pierce County Auditor’s Office, and Buffalo Bridges Human Service Zone, where she assisted with child welfare services and programs for the aged, mentally, and/or physically disabled.

All her life, but especially since returning to Rugby, Anna has spread her thoughtful kindness throughout the community and has left many with memories of a generous and full heart.

Anna is survived by her parents Mark and Sue Schaan of Rugby North Dakota, her older brothers, Joel and Toby Schaan, both of Minneapolis, Minnesota, her sister, Mari Schaan of Las Vegas, Nevada, her two nieces, Simone and Franchesca Schaan of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughters of her brother Toby, and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.

She is preceded in death by her cousin Corey Nelson (2000), grandparents John (2010) and Theresa (2002) Schaan, grandparents Myron (2019) and Arlene (2004) Fried, and her uncle Ken Schaan (2024).

Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at Little Flower Church in Rugby with burial in the church cemetery. Father Franklin Miller, Celebrant.

Presentation of the Gifts: Simone & Franchesca Schaan & Jodi Schaan

Organist: Glenda Mack Vocal Leader/Cantor: Amber Ritterman

Special Music By: Joel Schaan, Toby Schaan & Scottie Devlin

Scripture Readers: Steve Schaan & Paul Schaan

Casket Bearers: Joel Schaan, Toby Schaan, Todd Leier, Jessica Helland, Justin Mattson, Jennifer Mattson, Kallen Azure & Daxton Knain.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby.

Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com.

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, June 21, 2025.