Anna Lee Zech-Barnes, age 72, of Wellington, KS passed away June 1, 2015 at her home in Wellington.

Anna Lee (Zech) Barnes was born on October 9, 1942 in Wellington, KS to H. Burton Zech and Dixie Darlene (Wood) Zech. Anna was a graduate of Wellington High School with the Class of 1960. She was active in all aspects of her school life, cheerleading, 4H, FFA, and party planner. She attended K-State and then moved to Denton, TX where she attended Texas Women's University.

Ann was the life of the party! Growing up and all through her life, she was a socialite. She loved her horse, Buster, and horseback riding to town to see her friends.

Ann moved to Dallas where she had her three children, then to Houston. With her love of Texas she became a "Native Texan" (you can take Ann out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of Ann.) In Houston she absorbed herself in many activities and committees. Just to name a few, "Damzels In-Da-Pits" an award winning BBQ cookoff team, with a #1 for her Bloody Mary, an avid member of the Texas Farm & Ranch Club. One of her biggest honors was being a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She received many awards, including belt-buckles, certificates, and a diamond and ruby studded pin for the being the "top ticket sales person." She had the honor of showing her father's Reserve Grand Champion Gelbvieh Heifer in the in the livestock show.

After retiring from her 15 years of employment with Marathon Oil Company of Houston, TX she returned to Wellington and the wheat fields of Kansas. She joined the Chamber of Commerce and using her party planning skills and love for people and events, helped establish the "Hole In One Million Dollar Shoot Out," the "Bakers Bonanza" and the "Mayor's Cookie Jar" events that we still enjoy at the annual Kansas Wheat Festival.

She was a member of the Antique Road Show and belonged to the Wichita Flower and Garden Club, where she took home a blue ribbon for her flower arrangement. We could go on and on and on and on. Ann was a remarkable woman! She never knew a stranger and was always helping people in whatever capacity she could. She was selfless to a fault. She took care of others and was always there with an encouraging word, a ton of love and a smile.

Ann loved her family and friends more than life itself. She enjoyed spending time with her fiancé, Jim, watching her grandchildren in their various sports and music events, always trying her hardest to attend each one. She was always going and doing, there was never a dull moment when you were with Anna Lee. She was always dressed to the hilt with every hair in its place. She was the light in the room and her light shines on in the love and memory she gave us all.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Ellen Zech, son, Donald Ray Stewart II; and grandson, Austin Joseph Stewart.

She is survived by her son, Christopher Wade Stewart and her daughter, Melissa Ann Ybarra; fiancé, Jim Emerson and his daughters, Jennifer, Jayme, and Jessica; brother, Richard Rodney Zech and his wife Kathy; Sherry Ledesma; Brice Marshall; grandchildren, Christopher Wade Stewart II, Jourdan Harrison, Tyler and Katie, Taylan Ybarra, Ryan, Taylor, Chelsea and Conner Stewart, Desiree Marie Stewart; great grandchildren, Arianna and Kendrick Ybarra; aunt, Mini Thomas; niece, Gretchen Zech; and nephew, Spencer Zech.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation.

Memorial Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 11:00 A.M.

Memorial Funds have been established with the Heartland Hospice, American Lung Association, and the Wellington Humane Society in lieu of flowers.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.