Anna Jane (Heron) Kissinger , 71

GRANGEVILLE: Anna Jane (Heron) Kissinger was born in Calder, Idaho on January 5, 1935. She died on March 19, 2006, after an extended battle with ovarian cancer. Several of her early years were spent at the Northwest Children’s Home in Lewiston, Idaho. She was adopted by Bert and Lillian Heron in 1941. Early schooling was in Grangeville, graduating as class Salutatorian in 1953.
She married Donald Kissinger on November 7, 1953. They attended Washington State University from 1953 - 1958 during which time their four children were born. She held a B.A. in English (with honors) from WSU and later earned an M.Ed. degree from the University of Idaho in 1968. Except for a few years in California, she spent her entire life in Grangeville. She taught fourth and first grades in Grangeville Elementary School from 1963 - 1993 when she retired. She also taught numerous public speaking classes for Lewis Clark State College. She was a lifetime member of the Idaho Education Association and the National Education Association.
She was a lifetime member of International Training in Communication, (International Toastmistress Clubs) serving on the International Board of Directors for six years and as the World President in 1985-1986, during which time she traveled extensively throughout the world giving communication training. She was a member of the following scholastic honoraries: Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Theta, Delta Kappa Gamma. She received many awards during her lifetime: “Young Woman of the Year,” “Outstanding Teacher,” “Career Excellence Award” from Western Women’s Career Management Forum. An outstanding public speaker, she won first place in the International Speech Contest in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. She often spoke for area organizations and was the featured commencement speaker for Grangeville High School in 1978 and 1993 and for Kamiah High School in 1983. She was featured speaker for the Soroptimist’s Elks Scholastic Banquet in 1990 and 1994. During her life she was co-author of two communication manuals, “Communication Dynamics” and “ITC Master Training Manual. She was a member of the Camas Credit Union Board for 20 years, serving as President for 12 years. Active in community affairs, she was elected sixteen years to the Grangeville City Council from 1988-2006.
She served on the Centennial Library Board for many years and as a Syringa General Hospital volunteer. She served three terms as state president of the Idaho Association of Parliamentarians in 1994-96. She became a Professional Registered Parliamentarian and assisted at many national conventions.
Among her friends she was noted for her quick wit and her good cooking. Every Christmas since 1965 she cut out, baked, frosted and decorated 12 dozen sugar cookies as gifts to friends.
She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She also spoke at many community church events and presented Christian retreats for area women.
Jane believed that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior. Her life was dedicated to her faith, and she never feared or failed to express her faith in God. Her last words were: “Oh Jesus, come and take my hand, take me home.”
Survivors include her dearly beloved husband and care-giver, Donald Edward Kissinger; her children, Scott Kissinger of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Anne Waite of Marysville, Washington; Robert Kissinger of Cincinnati, Ohio; David Kissinger of Seattle, Washington; and 8 grandchildren.
It was Jane’s wish that instead of flowers or plants, memorials be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, Grangeville, or the Northwest Children’s Home, Lewiston. A memorial service will be held at Grangeville Elementary School at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, 2006 followed by a reception at the same location.