Anna E. “Anne” Novotny, age 95, of Madison, Wis., passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. She was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Elmer and Marguerite Chandler. She exemplified America’s greatest generation by living her life to the fullest with love, selflessness, bravery, independence, kindness and curiosity.

Anne was raised and spent most of her adult life in the Milwaukee area. She married Ervin Gromowski in 1946. Early in their marriage, they lived in Los Angeles, Calif., for three years, then returned to Wisconsin and lived in New Berlin. They had four children: Michael (Diane) of Canon City, Colo., Sandy (Jeff) Sikich of West Allis, Cindy, and Kim (Rod) Evans of Jenks, Okla. In 1963, Erv died prematurely in part from wounds sustained from the Korean War. After he passed, Anne’s adventurous nature led her to drive her four young children and large dog across the country to California in her station wagon pulling a pop-up camper for an entire summer.

Anne married Alfred “Al” Novotny in 1967 and they had one daughter, Tammy (Kirk) Peter of Middleton. Together, they raised their five children in West Allis and enjoyed weekends with Al’s sons, Tim (JoAnn) of New Berlin, and Tom (Ann) of Waukesha, at their cottage on Fox Lake, then later on Pelican Lake. They enjoyed playing golf and traveling near and far together. When Anne and Al retired, they spent their summer months at Pelican Lake and winter months in Bradenton, Fla.

Anne had a rich and deep history with music. She sang in and directed many church and performance choirs, including Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in West Allis and the El Rancho Singers in Bradenton. Other interests included volunteering at church, gardening, Wii bowling, sewing, swimming, and playing games.

After Al passed away in 2010, Anne continued to split her time between northern Wisconsin and Florida until she moved to All Saints Senior Living Apartments in Madison in 2016. Anne made many dear friends at All Saints and participated in just about every activity and outing offered. Anne was blessed to celebrate her 95th birthday with these friends and many relatives. As she did her entire life, she put all of her energy into her party and looked beautiful, was vibrant, grateful and an inspiration to all.

In addition to her five children and two step-sons, she cherished each of her fifteen grandchildren and eleven great-children. Anne is survived by sisters, Elaine Fenzl and Roberta Friend, both of Phoenix, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her two husbands; sister, Phyllis Hill; and daughter, Cindy.

Services will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, with the Rev. Sheryl Erickson presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:30 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday. Friends and family who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may visit Anne’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click the LIVE WEBCAST link. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Agrace HospiceCare would be appreciated.

The family would like to thank Agrace HospiceCare, All Saints staff and dear friends for their tremendous care and support. We ask God to continue watching over Anne as we will love, respect, and rejoice in the memories we have of her. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Anne Novotny

November 25, 1926 - December 06, 2021

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