In Memory of Anna Bechner

Anna Bechner, age 77, of Cambridge died unexpectedly July 6, 2014 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 12th at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cambridge.  A visitation will be held from 5 – 8 PM with a Prayer Service at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, July 11th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Anna Marie Bechner was born September 25, 1936 in St. Paul to Salvadore and Frances (Lindmeyer) Ciresi. Anna was raised in White Bear and graduated from White Bear High School. On September 14, 1957 she married Myron “Mike” Bechner at White Bear Lake. They spent several years in the suburbs of St. Paul before moving to Circle Pines in 1966 where they raised their two children, Barb and Jeff. Anna worked for 25 years at KTCA, Channel 2 Public Television. Mike and Ann moved to Cambridge in June 2002. They loved and were active in the community. She was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church and served in various capacities. She was a highly respected member of the Town’s Edge Manor Association where she had served on the board. Anna volunteered at the Harbor Room at Cambridge Medical Center and also volunteered at the Food Shelf. She loved to spend time with her family and friends and was very active with various social groups in her community. Anna was also an avid reader and loved to travel and actively followed several Minnesota sports teams. Her husband, Mike, died on September 20, 2002.

Ann died July 6, 2014 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 11 days.

Anna is survived by her son, Jeff Bechner (Annette Erbst) of Blaine; daughter, Barb (Tom) Petschl of Ham Lake; 6 grandchildren, Eric (Heather) Petschl, Kevin (Angela) Petschl, Emily Petschl, Eric, Miranda and Michael Bechner; 2 great-grandchildren, Kiley and Austin Petschl; 2 brothers, Thomas (Pat) Ciresi of Oakdale, Robert (Rae) Ciresi of Chisago City; 2 sisters-in-law (Sharon, Chris) and 2 brothers-in-law (Allen, Dave); dear friend, Norma Petschl of Battle Lake; and by many other relatives and friends.