Anna M. Manuell

Anna M. Manuell

May 18, 1937 – November 25, 2023

We are sad to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, sister, aunt, and nurse Anna Manuell on November 25, 2023.  She was 86 years old and succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.   She is survived by her sons Edward (Jacqueline), Phillip Cardenas, Christopher Cardenas, daughters Danielle (Michael) Felcyn, and Jessica (Rob) Helms, brothers George (Vernelle) Cardenas, Paul Cardenas, Daniel (Patricia) Cardenas, sisters Nellie (Bob) Cardenas, Sarah (Bill) Crawford, Francis Pierce, and Helen Cardenas, grandchildren, Anthony Manuell, Nicholas Manuell, Tobias Semler, Zach Helms, Cooper Helms, Veronica Cardenas, Sebastian Cardenas, Lillian Cardenas, and Zoe Cardenas, and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband Earl Burton Manuell, parents Jesus and Paz Cardenas, brothers Joe Moreno, and Jess Cardenas, sisters Mary Zavala, Lucy Moreno, and Rose Rodriguez.

She was a wonderful and caring nurse for nearly 40 years in the Omaha area hospitals and nursing homes.  She received her Licensed Practical Nurse degree from the Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska and then her Registered Nurse Associate degree from Omaha’s College of Saint Mary.  She loved her work, especially when she cared for the elderly.  Her tireless efforts to care for the sick and elderly are well known and were appreciated by many patients and families.  She found her work rewarding and was an extension of her deep Catholic faith.

Her faith in God and His host of saints was fervent and passionate.  She offered daily prayers for family, friends and those in need.  Anna had many gifts from God that included the unique ability to talk to anyone and the willingness to aid the poor, sick, and elderly.  Charity and respect for others were second nature to her no matter social status or situation.  She found the good in everyone and looked to bring it out.

She was an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and often cleaned the churches she frequented.  She was a disciple of St. Francis of Assisi and was a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis.  She emulated his devotion to God and love of His creatures.  She loved her dogs and often fed the wild birds.  She also loved Elvis Presley, westerns, Nebraska football and mariachi music.  You could often find her watching an old western or listening to an Elvis song.  Most recently she often sang “Que Sera Sera”, how appropriate!

She was known in the family to speak her mind and was a firm parent to all.  We all believe our faith and success in life is because of her exemplary acts of charity and work ethic.  Anna was much loved and is sorely missed by many.  We have fond memories and many funny stories of her exploits and sayings.  She was always ready to offer her opinion and defend the underdog.  She was fierce but caring and loving to all.

Family will receive friends Thursday, November 30th, from 5:00PM – 7:00PM at Christ The King Catholic Church with a Vigil Service at 7:00PM.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, December 1st, 10:00AM at Christ The King Catholic Church

Interment: Calvary

She loved the Poor Clare Nuns of Omaha, Nebraska and often visited them to pray with their community.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Franciscan Monastery of St. Clare, 22625 Edgewater Road, Omaha, NE 68022, www.omahapoorclare.org/donations.

The Peace Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.